Ex ICibrta SEYMOUR DURST When you leave, please leave this book Because it has been said "Sver thing comes f hitn who waits Except a loaned book." OLD YORK LIBRARY — OLD YORK FOUNDATION Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library |.<5 &jM\l ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. VOL. VI. ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS ON STEEL. NEW YORK : ATLANTIC PUBLISHING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY. 1890. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/encyclopdiaofconOOunse * CONTENTS. PAGE Adams, Samuel Caey 131 Austell, Alfred 301 Bakger, Samuel F 215 Beach, Bloomfield J 218 Beal, William R 312 Becker, Philip 185 Bemis, Asaph S 149 Blackiiam, George E 132 Booth, Edwin 170 Brayton, Samuel N 127 Brewster, Henry 113 Bulger, William J 177 Calhoun, John C 13 Cammann, Hermann H 37 Cantwell, Edward P. C 48 Carnoohan, John M 21 Chandler, Charles F 15 Cheney, Alfred C 314 Chittenden, Simeon B 92 Churchill, John C. 151 Clarkson, Floyd 256 Cobb, WillardA 124 Cochran, David H 58 Collins, Michael F 198 Conner, James M " 288 Cooke, Martin W 216 Cornell, John B 102 Corning, J. Leonard 287 PAGE Cox, Samuel S 294 Crimmins, John D 317 Cruiksiiank, Edwin A 39 Cuyler, Theodore L 9 Darling, Charles W 44 Dan'enport, Ira ... .146 Day, James R 290 Deems, Charles F 208 Dick, Robert 135 Dickerson, Edward N 272 Dobbins, Daniel 87 Dobbins, David P 88 Dodge, Grenville M 31 Durkee, Charles R 179 Eaton, Darwin G 308 Eddy, Joseph W 179 Edison, TnoMAS A 164 Enos, Henry K 250 Erhardt, Joel B 117 Ericsson, JonN 161 Evans, Charles W 110 Evans, Edwin 245 Evans, Isaac J 243 Ewing, Thomas 276 Fairchild, Charles S 160 Fairchild, Sidney T 158 Ferguson, Everard D 110 iv. CONTENTS. PAGE Field, William Hildreth 116 Flagg, Edward 280 Frazar, Everett 114 Fursman, Edgar L 219 Gat, Charles C. F 80 Gould, Jay 324 Gould, William B 128 Grant, Charles S 140 Graves, John C 123 Guentiier, Henry H 178 Hartley, Isaac S 47 Heald, Daniel A 25 Hewitt, Abram S 210 Hill, John D .• 74 Hisoook, Frank 106 Hodge, John 143 Hoffman, Eugene A 200 HOBNBLOWEB, WlLLIAM B 118 Houghton, James W 181 Hull, Amos G 97 Hutchinson, Charles W 237 Inman, William H 304 Johnson, Jesse 230 Jones, W. Martin. 240 Kittinger, Martin S 129 Langdon, Woodbury 285 Laughlin, John 194 Levy, Jefferson M 228 Lewis, Daniel 300 Low, Seth 99 Ludlow, Edward H 35 Maroley, J. Irving 222 McCready, Nathaniel L 27 MoIntire, John E 129 McMahon, John D 245 Merrill, Cyrus S 192 Miner, Julius F 121 Mott, Thomas S 184 Myers, Theodore W Newman, William II. H NOTMAN, PETEI! Odeix, Benjamin B Park, Roswell. . . Parker, Amasa J Peck, John H. . . Plympton, George W Putnam, John H Raines, George. Ramsdell, Orrin P Ransom, Rastus S Remington, Philo Reynolds, Tabor B Rochester, Thomas F Satteiu.ee, F. LeRoy Scheu, Solomon Schley, Grant B Scott, George II Sheehan, William F Sherman, William T Simmons, J. Edward Squibb, Watson C Stern, Jacob Stookwell, James K Stryker, John Si lly, Alfred Talmage, T. DeWitt Taylor, Bayakd Tifft, George W Tobie, Edward. Tourtellot, Louis A Tremain, Henry E Trenholm, William L Vandebbilt, Cornelius Walker, Edward C Wardwell,, William T CONTENTS. Watson, William H 54 Webster, David 229 West, Charles E 50 Wheeler, Jerome B 246 Wheeler, William A 223 Whelpley, James W 126 White, Stanford Wilcox, Reynold W Wilcox, Vincent M WlLKESON, SaMT'EL Williams, Gibson T Winston, Fhederick PORTRAITS. Austell, Alfred Faces Page 301 Barger, Samuel F " 215 Beal, William R 312 Bemis, Asaph S " 149 Booth, Edwin " 170 Brayton, Samuel N " 127 Bulger, William J " 177 Calhoun, John C " 13 Carnooiian, John M " 21 Chandler, Charles F " 15 Cheney, Alfred C " 314 Chittenden, Simeon B " 92 Clarkson, Floyd " 256 Cochran, David H " 58 Collins, Michael F " 198 Conner, James M " 288 Cooke, Martin W " 216 Cornell, John B " 102 Cox, Samuel S , " 294 Chimmins, John D " 317 Cruikshank, Edwin A " 39 Cuylei;, Theodore L " 9 Darling, Charles W " 44 Day, James R " 290 Deems, Charles F " 208 Dick, Robert " 135 Dickerson, Edwahd N " • 272 Dobbins, Daniel " 87 Dobbins, David P " 88 Dodge, Grenville M " 31 Eaton, Dahwin G " 308 Edison, Thomas A Faces Page 164 Enos, Henry K " 250 Evans, Charles W " 110 Evans, Isaac J " 243 Ewing, Thomas " 276 Field, William Hildreth " 116 Flagg, Edward O " 280 Frazar, Everett " 114 Ftjbsman, Edgar L " 219 Gay, Charles C F " 80- Gould, Jay " 324 G bant, Charles S " 140 Graves, John C " 12a Hartley, Isaac S " 47 Heald, Daniel A " 25 Hewitt, Abram S.~ " 210 Hill, John D " 74 Hiscock, Frank " 106 Hodge, John. " 143 Hoffman, Eugene A " 200 Hutchinson. Charles W " 237 Inman, William H " 304 Jones, W. Martin " 240 Langdon, Woodbury " 285 Laughlin, John " 194 Levy, Jefferson M " 228 Lqw, Seth " 99 Ludlow, Edward H " 35 Marcley, J. Irving " 222 McCready, Nathaniel L " 27 McIntire, John E " 129 PORTRAITS. Vll. Merrill, Cyhcs S Faces Page 192 Mott, Thomas S " 184 Myeks, Theodore W " 299 Newman, William H. H " 180 Parker, Amasa J " 17 Peck, John H " 109 Plympton, George W " 63 Putnam, John R " 41 Raines, George " 282 Ramsdell, Orrin P " 85 Ransom, Rastus S " 28 Remington, Philo " 152 Reynolds, Tabor B " 112 Rochester, Thomas F " 71 Schett, Solomon " 133 Schley, Grant B " 224 Scott, George H " 30(5 Sherman, William T " 187 [ Simmons, J. Edward Faces Page 07 Squire, Watson C " 220 Sully, Alfred " 173 Talmage, T. DeWitt " 203 Taylor, Bayard " 253 Tifft, George W " 77 Tobie, Edward " 120 Vanderbilt, Cornelius " 320 Walker, Edward C " 232 Ward well, William T " 182 Watson, William H " 54 West, Charles E " 50 Wheeler, Jerome B " 246 Wilcox, Vincent M " 266 Wii.keson, Samuel " 234 Williams, Gibson T " 83 Winston, Frederick S " 155 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. VOL. VI. CUYLER, REV. THEODORE LEDYARD, D.D., for thirty years pastor of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, and one of the leading Protestant divines of America, was born at Aurora, New York, January 10, 1822. In his veins courses the commingled blood of Huguenot and Hollander, for to these two sturdy and religious stocks his ancestors belonged. His grandfather was bred to the law and practiced it at Aurora for many years. His father, B. Ledyard Cuyler, also a lawyer of considerable repute, was a student of Hamilton College and a classmate there of Gerrit Smith. He died at the early age of twenty-eight, and when his son, Theodore, was but four years old.- The guardianship and training of the boy now fell to his mother — a woman of the purest and ten- derest Christian character, whose prayer from the very birth of her well-beloved son, was that he might become " a preacher of the everlasting gos- pel." In her heart she dedicated her infant to the Lord, desiring for him the honor of being a faithful minister of Christ in however humble a sphere, rather than of occupying any other position, even the most lucrative and distinguished. Her first gift to him is said to have been a pocket Bible, which he was able to read at four years of age— certainly an extraordinary circumstance, and an indication of a natural bias which was too remarkable to be mis- taken or neglected. The law business which had been founded by his grandfather, and transmitted to his father, languished at the latter's premature departure from life. Nevertheless, many of the family had strong hopes that Theodore was destined to assume the mantle so worthily and successfully worn by his ancestors, and thus preserve the lucra- tive as well as honorable business which had grown up in the course of several generations. In these hopes they were disappointed. When he was seven- teen years old he made his public confession of faith by joining the church, his mind having been won- drously influenced while attending some protracted prayer meetings at school ; and from that time forth there appears to have been little indecision in his course, his steps gradually but surely leading him into the Christian ministry. At the age of six- teen he entered Princeton College, and at nineteen was graduated there with honors. The following year was passed abroad. Bearing good introduc- tions, he was received by various men of eminence, "who were charmed with this vivacious youth, overflowing with cultured curiosity and Yankee wit." Among others Thomas Carlyle and Charles Dickens showed him no little kindness, which he has always treasured as a delightful memory. While abroad he tested his literary ability by writ- ing occasional sketches of travel and distinguished men for American newspapers, and their publica- tion brought him to the notice of a wide circle of readers. During his sojourn in Scotland, Father Matthew was there arousing the wildest enthusiasm for temperance. At Glasgow the young American met the distinguished " apostle of temperance," and was invited to speak at one of the meetings. He did so with such glowing ardor and such a IO CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. marked effect upon his auditors, that at the close of his remarks the noble Irish priest took him in his arms and kissed him. Upon his return to America his father's family again urged him to devote him- self to the law, and to take his place in that profes- sion sure of honor and financial prosperity. His mother, as wise as godly, refrained from urging her long-cherished desire, feeling that every true minister must be called of God ; so she simply said, [ "The Lord will lead you." Shortly after this con- versation the young man w as visiting a neighbor- ing village, when an elder of the church meeting him, said: "God has sent you here, for we want help this evening at the meeting for Christian con- ference with inquirers." He attended the meeting, spoke briefly, but so earnestly and impressively that many were deeply moved. Several inquirers professed belief that evening, saying " That young | man made the way so plain." Riding along Cayuga Lake on his wav home young Cuvler marveled at his success, but concluded that if his labors for a few minutes were crowned with such excellent re- sults it would be well to devote his life to preach- ing. His good mother, overjoyed at the realization of her fondest desires, confirmed him in his resolu- tion by her fervid eloquence. " My sun.'' she ex- claimed, her heart quivering with joy. "doubt no longer: God has called you to preach the gospel." To prepare himself for the ministry he studied three years at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in, May, 1846. Being duly licensed to preach he supplied the pulpit at Kingston, Penn- sylvania, for about six months. Shortly after this he was invited to assume charge of the Presbyte- rian Church at Burlington, New Jersey, where his work was so successful and his pulpit power so ef- fective that it was felt that he should be employed in the more arduous field presented by connection with a city church. He left Burlington to assume the pastorate of the Third Presbyterian Church (now— 1890— presided over by the Rev. Dr. Studdi- ford) in Trenton, where he remained until the sum- mer of 1853. In May, 1853, he received a call from the Shawmut Congregational Church, in Boston, but declined it and accepted the call, coming at the same time, from the Market Street Reformed Dutch Church in New York City, where he felt his field would be broader and more congenial by reason of the greater demands it would make upon him. In this pulpit he succeeded the learned and eloquent Rev. Dr. Isaac Ferris, Chancellor of the University of the City of New York. His preaching at once at- tracted attention and particularly interested the young men, who flocked to hear him by thousands from all parts of the city. For seven years he min- istered to this charge with marked success. In 1800 he accepted the call of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church. The exodus from New York to Brooklyn was beginning to be felt about this time, and the need for better church accommodations in the latter city had long been so pressing as to en- gross the attention of many earnest Christians. The project of forming a new Presbyterian Church in the Lafayette Avenue section of the city origi- nated with Mr. Edward A. Lambert, ex-Mayor of Brooklyn, at the time a member of the South Pres- byterian Church. A conference on the subject was held May 1G, 1857, by a number of gentlemen con- nected with Dr. Spear's " South " Church, and it was decided to form a " New School " Church. Soon after its organization the young church in- vited Professor Roswell I). Hitchcock, of the Union Theological Seminary in New York, to supply its pulpit. At the start the congregation numbered but forty-eight persons, but Professor Hitchcock's preaching proved so popular that the homely little brick chapel could not contain the people who came in increasing numbers to hear it. It was a season of spiritual quickening all over the land — the revival of 1858 — and Park Church, as the little edifice was then called, shared in the general improvement, and met the demand upon its accommodations by build- ing an addition. In January, 1859, Professor Hitch- cock's increasing professional duties obliged him to withdraw from this charge, and for the ensu- ing six mouths the congregation was ministered to by the Rev. Lyman Whiting, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was then for about six months without a regular pastor. It was during the latter period that Dr. Cuyler was waited on and invited to become the pastor. As the outlook in his own church was theu promising, he declined the call. Shortly after this the Dutch Church began to falter in its project of planting its new edifice in the new and growing part of the city. So Dr. Cuyler paid a visit to the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn to view the land. Convinced that this section would be- come the centre of a populous city, Dr. Cuyler told the committee which waited on him that if their congregation would purchase the plot at the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Oxford Street, and erect thereon a plain edifice large enough to accommo- date about two thousand people, he would accept the call. It was a large undertaking viewed from a conservative point of view, but the young church agreed to enter upon it, and within ten days the land was bought and paid for. A month later it would have been sold for private residences. The land cost twelve thousand dollars and the edifice, a splendid stone structure, modelled after Mr. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OP' NEW YORK. Beecher's church, being also the same size, and having a seating capacity as large, cost forty-two thousand dollars additional. Dr. Cuyler was for- mally installed as pastor of the congregation in April, I860. At that time it had an enrolled mem- bership of one hundred and forty persons. Ground was broken for the new edifice in the fall of the year, and on March 12, 1862, the completed church was dedicated. The growth and prosperity of the new church bordered on the marvellous. During the great Christian revival of 1866 it added more than three hundred names to its roll of membership. A Memorial Mission School established in Prospect Place was one of the immediate results. This school was soon organized into the present ''Me- morial Presbyterian Church," now one of the most prosperous in that section of the city. The " Fort Green Presbyterian Church " founded on one of the mission schools, started in 1861, and the Cum- berland Street Presbyterian Church, originally com- posed of one hundred and twelve members of Dr. Cuyler's rlock, who built the present edifice at a cost of forty-two thousand dollars, are thriving off shoots of the Lafayette Avenue Church. The Clas- sou Avenue Church also derived much of its origi- nal strength from Dr. Cuyler's congregation. In the twenty-five years following its incorporation the Lafayette Avenue Church contributed seventy thousand dollars to city missions. Its gifts, as re- ported for the year 1888, exceeded fifty-three thou- sand dollars. During the thirty years of its flour- ishing existence it has received into its member- ship four thousand one hundred persons, of which number nearly half were on profession of their faith. In the same period about five thousand children have been gathered into the Sunday-school ; and from the ranks of the Young People's Associa- tion, now numbering some seven hundred members, twelve young men have entered the Christian min- istry. At this writing — 1890 — the church has a membership approximately twenty-four hundred and a Sunday-school attendance of about sixteen hundred, and ranks as the third largest in the General Assembly. The labors of Dr. Cuyler dur- ing the score and a half of years which have elapsed since he assumed charge of this church have been colossal. In the course of his pastorate he has de- livered to his own people very nearly three thou- sand sermons, and more than one thousand ad- dresses. Millions of readers have been made ac- quainted with him through the columns of the Christian Intelligencer, Christian at Work, Evange- list, Independent and other papers of wide circula- tion. It is estimated that in this way about one hundred million copies of his articles on various texts and subjects have been issued. He published, in 1852, a volume entitled ''Stray Arrows" contain- ing a selection of his newspaper writings. One of his temperance tracts entitled '"Somebody's Son" had a circulation of over five hundred thousand copies. Of the ten books of which he is the author, seven have been reprinted in England, where they have had a large sale, viz. : "Cedar Christian," "Heart Life," " Empty Crib," "Thought-Hives," " Poiuted Papers for the Christian Life," " God's Light on Dark Clouds," and " Newly Enlisted." The "Empty Crib" was called forth by the death of a beloved boy nearly five years of age. It is a most affecting production, and Dean Stanley said he had read it with tears to his own family by his fireside. The subsequent loss of a beautiful and accomplished daughter was the occasion of his writing that marvellously touching production en- titled " God's Light on Dark Clouds." A selection from his writings entitled "Right to the Point " has been published in Boston. Several of Dr. Cuyler's books have been translated into Swedish and one into Dutch. For more than thirty years he has ranked as one of the notable preachers of the land, and his labors in connection with great re- forms, notably Young Men's Christian Associations, Mission Schools, Work for the Freedmen, the Chil- dren's Aid Society, the Five Points Mission and the National Temperance Society have been persistent and effective. His force in preaching " lies in pic- turesque description, and the weaving in of scenes and illustrations from Scripture and from daily life. When he preaches doctrinal sermons he avoids technicalities." His texts are generally short, and his sermons open by some forcible form of illustra- tion, and close impressively, by forcible appeal. Thus he enlists attention at the outset and leaves an abiding effect at the conclusion. Washington Irv- ing having heard him address a company of chil- dren, whispered in his ear: "My friend, I would like to be one of your parishioners." Dr. Cuyler has two pulpits — one of them the press. As a speaker he is noted for his " self poise and ease of manner." Professor Henry Fowler declared that his voice had a wider range than Mr. Beecher's and he added that he was " not inferior to him in his gestures and action, producing by their means marked effect." He has qualities of oratory and style which remind observers of the best traits of Dr. Edward N. Kirk, Henry Ward Beecher and John B. Gough, a striking similarity being " a pe- culiar friendly intonation which at the outset wins the hearer and is an important element of their suc- cessful oratory." His style as a preacher is very earnest, and judged by its results singularly effec- CONTEMrORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. tive. An observant writer, describing him, says: " He raino-les freely and happily with his people. His feeliuo/are ardent and sympathetic, Ins conver- sation is fluent and interspersed with illustration, anecdote, livelv metaphor and felicitous quotation : hi* manner natural, candid and frank ; his tone of voice at once full, encouraging, and also gentle : so that he united the gifts which elicit friendly feel- in^ promote freedom of social intercourse, and bind a pastor to his people by the innumerable threads of friendly intercourse, rather than by the one cable of profound and distant reverence. Hence lie combines in an unusual degree, success in pastoral labor with success in preaching. He teaches his people quite as much out of the pulpit as in it. He seeks to make his church an organized band who ' go about doing good,' in working sym- pathv with the poor and outcast. He also diffuses a zeal, ' lengthening the cords and strengthening the stakes' of their own influence. Dr. Cuyler is acces- sible both in the parlor and in the pulpit. One is sure of hospitality at church as well as at home." Dr. Cuyler has a large acquaintance abroad and is greatly esteemed, particularly in Great Britain. He is an earnest advocate of that brotherhood of the English-speaking people which promise so much for the cause of civilization, liberty and progress. He has always been a pronounced advocate of tem- perance, and his church is a center from which ra- diates a powerful influence in the cause of total ab- stinence. Speaking of its benefits he once said: " In forty years I have never lost but two Sabbaths from sickness. If any minister who believes in using alcoholics for his stomach's sake, can show^ a cleaner bill of health, he is welcome to produce it." His long-continued labors and eloquent advocacy of temperance have been recognized by his election to the Presidency of the National Temperance Society of America. In 1872 he went abroad as a Delegate to the Presbyterian Assembly at Edinburgh, Scot- land, on which occasion he made the close personal acquaintance of many of the leading Presbyterian divines of Great Britain and Ireland. During his sojourn he received marked attention from all classes of society, and had several informal meet- ings with Gladstone and other statesmen. His ac- quaintance in America numbers nearly all the dis- tinguished men of his time. In person Dr. Cuyler is somewhat below the ordinary stature, well-formed, erect and wiry, with an iron constitution and a ca- pacity for work seldom exceeded in his profession. His head is long and large — " a mate to the head of Oliver Wendell Holmes " — his eyes are full orbed and piercing, and his hair, originally dark, is now well streaked with silver. His face is pale and thin, that of a worker, a student, a man of deep thought and earnest sympathy. On Sunday, February 2, 1890, at the close of a brief and powerful sermon, Dr. Cuyler, in a carefully prepared address, an- nounced to his congregation his intention of resign- ing his pulpit on the first Sunday in April follow- ing. He spoke as follows : "Nearly thirty years have elapsed since I as- sumed the pastoral charge of the Lafayette Avenue Church In April. 1800," it was a small band of one hundred and forty members. By the continual blessing of Heaven upon us that little flock has grown Into one of the largest and most useful and powerful churches in the Presbyterian denomina- tion ; it is the third in point of numbers in the United States. This church now has two thousand three hundred and thirty members. It maintains two mission chapels, has one thousand six hundred in its Sundav-sehools, and is paying the salaries of three ministers in this city and of two missionaries in the South. For several years it has led all the churches of Brooklyn in its contributions to foreign, home and citv missions: and it is surpassed by no other in wide and varied Christian work. Every Bitting in this spacious house has its occupant. Our morning audiences have never been larger than they aie this winter. This church has always been to rue like a beloved child. I have given to it thirty years of hard and happy labor, and it is my fore- most desire that its harmony may remain undis- turbed and its prosperity may remain unbroken. For a long time I have intended that my thirtieth anniversary should be the terminal point of my present pastorate. I shall then have served this be- loved flock for an ordinary human generation, and the time has now come for me to transfer this sa- cred trust to some one who, in God's good provi- dence, may have thirty years of vigorous work be- fore him and not behind him. If God spares my life to the first Sabbath of April it is my purpose to surrender this pulpit back into your hands, and I shall endeavor to co-operate with you in the search and selection of the right man to stand in it. I will not trust myself to-day to speak of the sharp pang it will cost'me to sever a connection that has been to me one of unalloyed harmony and happi- ness. When the proper time conies we can speak of all such things, and in the meanwhile let us con- tinue on in the Blessed Master's work, and leave our future entirely to His all-wise and ever-loving care. On the walls of this dear church the eyes of the angels have always seen it written, ' I, the Lord do keep it, and f will keep it night and day.' It only remains for me to say that after forty-four years* of uninterrupted ministerial labor it is but reasonable for me to ask for relief from a strain that may soon become too heavy for me to bear." " This statement " says the Mew York Herald, ••came like a clap of thunder from a clear sky to most of his hearers, for in no church in Brooklyn are the relations between pastor and people more wholly in harmony than at the Lafayette Avenue Church. The members of the congregation were visibly moved, and Dr. Cuyler had hard work to restrain his feelings." Referring editorially to the subject the Herald says : " After a pastorate of thirty years the Rev. Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler, of Brooklyn, will soon enjoy a well-earned rest. From first to last his relations with his flock have been those of a father to his children, and no shadow of past or present discord sullies his long and successful ministry." CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 13 On Easter Sunday, April 6, 1890, the thirtieth anniversary of his installation as pastor of the church, Dr. Cuyler preached the concluding sermon of his pastorate. It was a memorable and impressive oc- casion, and the building was filled to overflowing with the friends and admirers of one of the most successful pulpit orators of the age. No less mem- orable and touching was the subsequent meeting of the members of his flock on April 16, in the church parlors, where a farewell reception was held, pastoral relations formally severed, and a purse of $30,000 presented to Dr. Cuyler— being $ 1,000 for each year of his services as pastor. The address aud presen- tation were made in behalf of the congregation by Mr. John N. Beach who, after reviewing the growth and progress of the church, concluded as follows: " While we have been constrained to speak to you those simple words of honest commendation, we now deem it to be eminently fitting that we should present to you some more tangible expression of our appre- ciation and love. We therefore tender you this purse, not as a charity, else you might fling it down and trample it beneath your feet. Neither do we beg your acceptance of this merely for its literal in- trinsic value as computed in paltry shillings and pence. We would present you this as a token of the lasting obligations we bear toward you and yours, and of the warm-hearted love we bestow upon you. " I take great pleasure in referring to the cordiality and entire unanimity with which this testimonial fund has been placed in my hands to present to you, and will you now accept it, sir, bearing with it, as I do, the sincere love and well wishes of its many donors ? " CALHOUN, JOHN C, is one of the central figures in that colony of Southerners who have won for themselves enviable success and honorable distinction in New York. He is a man of impres- sive presence, strong personality and unusual abil- ity. Stimulated by a worthy ambition to live in keeping with his obligations to a noble ancestry, he has pressed forward with courage and energy to the achievement of much that is flattering and cred- itable. His record speaks for itself, and his career is interesting from boyhood to date. In all things his conduct is characterized by the courage of his convictions, and an unswerving integrity of pur- pose. His paternal grandfather was John C. Cal- houn, South Carolina's worshiped son and wisest statesman. His maternal grandfather was the fa- mous General Duff Green, who figured so promi- nently in Washington City as the gifted editor of the American Telegraph, which paper had great power during the days of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. His paternal grandmother was Floride Calhoun, daughter of Hon. John Ewing Calhoun, United States Senator from South Carolina. His mother's mother was Lucretia Edwards, daughter of Ninian Edwards, the distinguished jurist of Ken- tucky, who was appoiuted Territorial Governor of Illinois, which position he held until Illinois was made a State, when he became regular Governor by the election of the people. Mr. Calhoun's father was the second largest cotton planter in the South before the war. He was Andrew Pickens Calhoun, the eldest son of South Carolina's great statesman ; and although repeatedly pressed to accept high po- litical positions, he devoted his entire life to the de- velopment of his own and the agricultural interests of the South. This long chain of distinguished an- cestry connects John C. Calhoun of to-day with the famous Chief Justice Marshall and many more of the most noted characters of American history. Mr. Calhoun was born July 9, 1843, on his father's plan- tation near Demopolis, Alabama. When he was eleven years of age, his parents returned to South Carolina, their native State, and settled at Fort Hill, the old homestead of his illustrious grandfather. Here every foot of land was to the lad's mind hal- lowed ground, and every house fixture was as sa- cred as an altar in a temple. Thus his boyhood was environed by inspiring traditions and family pride, and under the ennobling influence of his father and mother he conceived his earliest ideas of chivalry, and experienced the first throbs of ambition. Mr. Calhoun is not a college graduate. He entered the State University at Columbia, South Carolina, but just as he completed his sophomore year, the war broke out. At once the volunteer fever became epidemic among the college students, and young Calhoun was among the first to enroll his name for the for- mation of a company of cadets. These enthusiastic boy-soldiers hurried to Charleston, reaching there a day or two before the bombardment of Fort Sum- ter. Soon after that initiatory engagement Mr. Cal- houn went to the Virginia army and joined Hamp- ton's Legion. Almost immediately after connecting himself with General Hampton's command he was elected Color Sergeant of the Legion Cavalry, al- though he was not then eighteen years old. After serving under Hampton for about a year he was dis- charged from the army on account of his extreme youth. On returning to his home lie found his na- tive State greatly inflamed by stirring appeals from the War Department at Richmond for more troops. He at once began organizing a company, and within less than a month he was on his way back to Vir- ginia in command of a splendid cavalry troop num- bering one hundred and sixty r men. When he re- ceived his commission from the War Department he CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. was said to be the youngest Captain in the Confed- erate army. His company was assigned to the command of General M. C. Butler, now United States Senator from South Carolina. With him, Captain Calhoun served until the final surrender. In an article recently contributed by General Butler to the Century Magazine, he makes special mention of Captain Calhoun's splendid bravery at the battle of Trevillyan Station. He recounts how Captain Calhoun led a memorable charge during that fight, and by his personal gallantry turned the tide of battle. His career since the war is scarcely less in- teresting. Returning to Fort Hill, after General Johnston's surrenderat Greensboro, North Carolina, he was confronted b}' waste places, where he had left a domain of treasure. Darkness had settled on the home of his fathers, and the vast estate had been swept before the destroying winds of war. But his soldier life had schooled him in privation and mis- fortune, and he accepted the widespread ruin and devastation with unflinching fortitude and heroic courage. He reasoned philosophically, and knew that although his patrimony was all gone, he was still rich in industry and energy. He at once as- sumed entire charge of the family, and not only supported his mother and sister, but was father to his younger brothers, giving them every substantial care, and providing means even for their education. The sum total of his assets for life's practical begin- ning were his two war horses. With these he went to Alabama, and in Montgomery formed a co-part- nership with James R. Powell, who was afterwards dubbed the "Duke of Birmingham," because of his prominent identification with the marvellous devel- opment of the " Magic City." The business plan of Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Powell was for the establish- ment of extensive planting interests in the Yazoo Valley of Mississippi. The management of the en- terprise was entrusted to Mr. Calhoun, and so suc- cessfully did he work it, that within less than a year he sold out his interest to Mr. Powell for $15,000. With this capital he went to Arkansas and repeated his Yazoo Valley experiment, only on a larger scale. There he lived for fourteen years, during which time he formed the Calhoun Land Company, and later on, likewise the Florence Land Company. He was simultaneously President of both these corpor- ations, which made him manager of the second largest planting interest in America. In the man- agement of these vast plantations Mr. Calhoun in- augurated the emigration movement of negroes to that State, and from first to last he carried per- sonally from Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, over 5,000 negroes to the Mississippi Valley. His conduct of this system of co-operative farming proved very profitable to him. So much so that when he wound up and sold out in 1884, prepara- tory to coming to New York to live, he had accu- mulated over $100,000. While a resident of Arkau- I sas, so prominently identified did he become with the planting interest of that wonderful cotton- growing section, that the Governor honored him with the appointment of delegate, from the State at large, to the Cotton Exposition at Lou- isville in 1883, and also to the New Orleans Cot- ton Exposition, 1884. He was likewise com- missioned to the Convention, held at Washing- ton City in 1884, which meinoralized Congress with reference to the improvement of the Mississippi and its tributaries. Soon after he came to New York to live he organized a syndicate for the pur- pose of settling the State debt of Arkansas, and his work in that cause went far toward the accomplish- ment of the final adjustment. His first aim and chief object, however, in coming to New York to live, was to devote himself unremittingly to the interests of the South, and his position in that con- nection to-day is ample evidence of his success. He has been prominently identified with three distinc- tive railroad deals since he came to New York, and in each instance he has been triumphant in the ad- vocacy of his cause and the attainment of his ends. His first conspicuous operation in Wall Street was the big Richmond Terminal deal, whereby the con- trol of that property was wrested from its then own- I ers, and subsequently made to absorb the Rich- mond 6c Danville. Soon after that, he became en- gaged as a leader in the movement to obtain control of the Georgia Central System, out of which grew the Georgia Company. A wholesale change was made in the management of the Georgia Central, and Mr. Calhoun became one of the leading Directors under the new regime. He was subsequently made its Vice-President. The campaign by which the Geor- gia Central was secured created greater interest than anything of the kind which has ever occurred in Georgia, and in the course of it Mr. Calhoun made great reputation. Later he was elected to the Directory of the Richmond & West Point Ter- minal Company. This put him in affiliation and of- ficial intimacy with some of the most conspicuous railroad magnates of America, and cannot be inter- preted other than as a just recognition of his merit, and a generous tribute to his ability. He now has a voice in the management of over 7,000 miles of rail- road, all of which traverse Southern territory. This is no doubt pecidiarly gratifying to him, for above every other consideration in his business life, is his aim to be inseparably associated with important measures for furthering the material development CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 15 of the South. He is unalterably a Southern man, and instantly recognized as such wherever he goes. In acknowledgment of this and in tribute to his wide popularity, he was, upon the organization of the New York Southern Society, elected its First Vice-President, and in 1889 was elected President. He has always devoted himself unremittingly to the best interest of the Society, and through his faith- ful efforts in its behalf, the association secured its present elegant home. Mr. Calhoun has impressed himself so indelibly upon the heart of the wliole So- ciety that his name among the members is held in highest honor and sincerest affection. While loyal to the home of his adoption, he is far more ab- sorbed in the interest of his native section. The land of his birth was the altar of his sacrifices, and his noblest ambition is to make that same land the better by his achievements. In considering his per- sonal character, we can say without fear of contra- diction, he is in every sense a true gentleman. Born of an aristocracy thoroughly genuine, he naturally abhors a mean or ungenerous ifhpulse, and would be incapable of any departure from strictest integ- rity. In 1870, Mr. Calhoun was married to Miss Lin- nie Adams, only daughter of David Adams, of Lex- ington, Kentucky, and grandniece of Richard M. Johnson, ex-Vice-President of the United States. Mr. Calhoun's family circle is delightful in its har- mony, and beautiful in its happiness. He has a magnificent house on Fifty-eighth Street, near Fifth Avenue, all the appointments of which bespeak true refinement and substantial prosperity. Both he and his wife are exceptionally generous in hospitality, and their home is a place of unfailing pleasure and gladness to their host of friends. Mr. Calhoun has never manifested any partiality for politics, but on the contrary has repeatedly turned his back on pub- lic office. Nevertheless, he is a man of wise views on all public questions, and takes the profoundest interest in all measures looking to the material de- velopment of our common country and the welfare of our National Government. It may be that some day he will turn from the fields of practical business life, and devote himself to the science of statesman- ship. His patriotism is as broad as the land, and his views are oftentimes luminous with statesman- like thought. The following extract from one of his speeches as President of the New York Southern Society, on the occasion of an annual banquet, is admirable evidence of his uncommon ability, and likewise of his comprehensive patriotic philosophy : '' This is the Centennial year of our Government, and the great political conflicts that were waged in every one of the original thirteen States over the adoption of the Constitution a hundred years ago ■ars vividly called to our minds. Then, as now, ] there was a Southern question. Then, as now, there were those who saw danger to the States south of the Potomac in the great power of the States to the north of it. Governor Benjamin Har- rison, of Virginia, voiced the sentiment of the op- position in this forcible language: ' If the Constitu- tion is carried into effect the States south of the Po- tomac will be little more than appendages to those to the northward of it. My objections chiefly lie against the unlimited powers of taxation, the regu- lations of trade and the jurisdictions that are to be established in every State altogether independent of their laws. The sword and such powers will, nay, must, sooner or later, establish a tyranny.' " But then, as now, the heart of the South was true to the Union. Over all opposition, in spite of all warning, she rallied to the support of her great I leaders, and the Union was established. Let us, in the first year of our second century, emulate the example of those noble men who labored to estab- lish the Union, and draw inspiration from their characters and their careers. Let us study the char- acter and emulate the example of that great South- erner, who, recognized by the common consent of his countrymen as the foremost citizen of America, and elected by a unanimous vote, swore in this great city a hundred years ago to obey the Constitution just formed, and was inaugurated the first Presi- dent of the United States. "The Southern question then, at the bottom of which stood the negro, did not prevent the slave- holders, Washington and Madison, of Virginia, from laboring with Hamilton and Jay, of New York, and a host of other patriots in each of the other States, in a common effort to establish a perfect Union. And the Southern question now, at the bottom of which stands the negro, will not prevent the South- ern people from uniting with the people of the North and West in a common effort to obliterate sectional lines and promote the general welfare of the entire Union. The South relies upon the conser- vatism and patriotism of the American people, and j on those broad, federal principles which, while recognizing the rights of the General Government, will also preserve the rights of the States." CHANDLER, CHARLES FREDERICK, Ph.D., M.D., LL.D., a distinguished American scien. tist, one of the founders of the School of Mines of Columbia College, New York, now Professor, of Analytical and Applied Chemistry and allied sciences in that institution, and late President of the Board of Health, New York City, was born at Lancaster, Mass., Dec. 6, 1836. As a boy he gave every evidence of the possession of scientific tastes. After graduating at the local high school, he began a thorough course of scientific study at the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard College. This was continued at the Universities of Gottingen and Berlin, from the first named of which he received, in 1856, the degree of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. While a student he had the good fortune to sit under the i6 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. teachings of Agassiz, Horsford and Cooke, in Amer- ica, and Wohler, Von Waltershausen and Heinrieh Rose, in Europe, and was for a time assistant to the last named, and had as companion in the labora- tory the now famous Arctic explorer, Nordenskjold. Upon his return to America he became assistant to Professor Joy, at Union College, taking that distin- guished instructor's place after he was called to Columbia College, and lecturing for eight years to the college classes on chemistry, mineralogy and geology. In 1858 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry in the New York College of Pharmacy, then in its infancy, and lectured for three evenings a week, all winter, year after year, to its students. In 1864 he joined Professor Egleston and General Vinton in founding the School of Mines at Columbia College, taking at first the chair of geology. In one year the school attracted an attendance of nearly one hundred students, and the Trustees of the Col- lege placed it on a substantial basis as a co-ordinate department of Columbia College. Professor Chan- dler, who has been Dean of the Faculty and execu- tive officer from the first, has rilled the chair of Analytical and Applied Chemistry for many years. He made the assay department of this school the most famous in the country. The improved sj-stem of weights devised by him for assay work has been generally adopted by assayers. In 1866 he was invited by the Metropolitan Board of Health, to do some gratuitous chemical work. The Com- missioners were so impressed by his labors that they created the office of Chemist for him, which he held until 1873, when Mayor Havemeyer appointed him President of the Board. In 1877 he was re-appointed for six years by Mayor Ely. His official influence was exerted from the start in bringing about many needed reforms. Of the milk question he made a special study and for years he vigorously attacked the dishonest milk dealers. Simultaneously he prose- cuted an investigation of the liquors sold at common resorts, poisonous cosmetics, drinking water, and the common food supply, in each case giving the pub- lic valuable information upon these topics. He also instituted an investigation of kerosene accidents. His reports created widespread interest. They were reprinted and circulated by philanthropic citizens and attracted atteutiou in many foreign countries. His report on gas purification, published in 1869, led to the abatement of the gas nuisance, from which the entire city was then suffering, and is one of the most able and complete discussions of the subject which has ever appeared. Under the Presidency of Pro- fessor Chandler war was successfully waged by the Board of Health against all stench-producing trades in and near New York City; the streets around Washington Market were relieved of an outrageous abuse in the shape of two-story structures erected in violation of law; gratuitous house-to-house vac- cination was established, resulting in the complete suppression of small-pox ; and also house-to-house visitation of the tenement district, with the result of very largely reducing the infant mortality. In 1872 a portion of the duties of the Chair of Chemis- try in the New York College of Physicians and Sur- geons was assigned to him, and on the death of Professor St. John, of the faculty of that old insti- tution, he succeeded to his chair of Chemistry and Medical Jurisprudence. He had been a strenuous advocate of a more exacting system of medical edu- cation. In 1874 Professor Chandler was President of the Convention that met at Northumberland to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of oxygen by Dr. Priestly, and he published the .proceedings and addresses in full in The American Chemist, a monthly journal of chemistry, founded by him in connection with his brother, Professor W. H. Chandler, of the Lehigh University. He was one of the most active projectors of the American Chemical Society, founded soon afterwards, and has been Vice- President of it since the beginning, having regularly refused to accept the Presidency. In the summer of 1879 he was made chairman of a committee com- posed of eminent medical men, organized to draw up a scheme for disinfection to be adopted by the National Board of Health. Professor Chandler is an i effective lecturer, and though chiefly devoting him- self to the work of instruction, is a prolific writer. Probably his most elaborate chemical work has been the examination of American mineral waters. He has also been engaged in several important investi- gations in the pollution of water by factories, and he has been relied upon to decide important questions with regard to the selection of water for supplying Albany, Yonkers and other places. Of late years he has been the editor-in-chief of the Photographic Bulletin, published by the house of E. & H. T. Anthony, of New York City. As an expert in chemistry he ranks with the most distinguished liv- ing, and is constantly consulted by manufacturers and courts of law in his specialty. He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Universitj' of New York in 1873, and that of Doctor of Laws from Union College in the same year. He is a life member of the Berlin, Paris and American Chemical Societies, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the London Chemical Society , the Sociedad Humboldt of Mexico, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Philos- ophical Society, the New Y T ork Academy of Sciences, I and many other learned bodies. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 17 PARKER, HON. AMASA J., LL.D., a distin- guished American lawyer and jurist, ex- Judge of the Supreme Court and Court of Ap- peals of the State of New York, and ex-Member of Congress, was born at Sharon, Parish of Ellsworth, Litchfield County, Connecticut, June 2, 1807. On both the paternal and maternal sides he traces his genealog}- back to the early Puritan settlers of New England, in which section his ancestors in all the succeeding generations have ranked among the most worthy and intelligent of the inhabitants. In the numerous and memorable historic events preceding and following the Declaration of Independence, members of the family to which he belongs were conspicuous for their unswerving loyality to the Christian Church, and their patriotic devotion to the best interests of the country. One of his more im- mediate ancestors, the Hon. Thomas Fenn, of Watertown, Connecticut, rendered long and faithful service to his fellow-citizens in the Legislature of that State, in which he sat for thirty consecutive sessions. His father, "the Rev. Daniel Parker, a man of eminent worth, piety and learning," was for twenty years pastor of the Congregational Church in the parish where Amasa, the subject of this sketch, was born. When the latter was about nine years of age, his parents removed to the State of New York, which since then has remained his home. The elder Parker was a man of fine intellectual at- tainments, broad in his acquirements and an accom- plished classical scholar. Under his personal super- vision and largely at his hands his son received his early training. The boy clearly inherited his father's love of knowledge, and his progress in his studies was remarkably rapid. At the age of six- teen, in 1823, he was appointed principal of the Hudson Academy, an institution which even at that early date enjoyed a high reputation for its educa- tional advantages. Although but a mere boy in years, young Parker was a man in phj-sique and his mental qualifications were on a par with his stature. He realized fully the responsibilities of the position, and in accepting it, determined to assume them all. He devoted himself to his work and was eminently successful in it, winning the approbation of the most competent critics. His scholarly attainments and professional success may possibly have excited a little envy among those who were engaged in simi- lar work, for it seems the clever young principal was taunted in some way with not being a regularly educated teacher, i. e., a college graduate. To show how little sense there was in such a taunt, young Mr. Parker presented himself at Union College, in 1825, and successfully passed all the examinations for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and was gradu- ated with the class of that year. In May, 1827, he resigned his principalship, and thenceforth devoted himself to the study of law, for which he felt he had a stronger vocation than for teaching. During the last year that he remained at the head of the academy, he had read law under the direction of John W. Edmunds, one of the great lights of Ameri- can jurisprudence. When he gave up teaching he removed to Delhi, and there, in the office of his un- cle, Amasa Parker, a leading member of the Dela- ware County bar, he completed his legal course. In October, 1828, he was admitted to the bar, and at once engaged in professional work as the partner of his uncle. The firm of A. and A. J. Parker became one of the most eminent and successful in the State ; its clientage embracing the heaviest business men, corporations and companies of those times. As a consequence young Mr. Parker came to practice in all the courts in the State; he was a strong and familiar contestant at the circuits in the counties of Delaware, Greene, Ulster and Schoharie, and fre- quently in those of Broome, Tioga and Tompkins. It was said of him when he was called from the bar to the bench, that he had tried more cases in the circuit courts than any lawyer of his age in the State. Mr. Parker began his political life as a member of the Democratic party, to which he faith- fully adhered through life. His remarkable skill as a lawyer, his fervid eloquence, and, not least, his great personal popularity, concentrated attention upon him as a born political leader. In the autumn of 1833, when he was barely twenty-six years of age, he was elected to the State Assembly from Delaware County, being nominated as a Democrat and run- ning without opposition. In this body he distin- guished himself by his successful care of the inter- ests of his constituents, and by his intelligent ; comprehension of the needs of the State, and great activity in carrying through beneficial measures. His brilliant attainments as a scholar were speedily noticed by his legislative colleagues, and led to his I being chosen by the Legislature, in 1834, a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. During a period of ten years he occupied this last position and brought to its duties not only an unusual degree of learning, but also a profound respect for and sincere devotion to the great cause of education. It should be noted here that he enjoyed the signal honor of being the young- est person ever elected a member of this dignified body. In 1834 Mr. Parker was appointed District Attorney of Delaware County. He served three years, and could have had a second term, but de- clined it, owing to the pressure of private profes- I sional business. Mr. Parker's efficient services in 1 8 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the State Legislature strongly commended him for preferment to a higher office, and in the fall of 1836 he was nominated by the Democratic party and elected to the Twenty-fifth Congress, to represent the Twentieth District of New York, then compris- ing the counties of Broome and Delaware. The high estimation in which he was held by the peo- ple of this district is clearly shown by the fact that he was chosen without opposition. His services in the National Legislature were all that could be desired by the most exacting constituency ; every duty was faithfully and punctually performed Among his colleagues were a number of the most distinguished sons of New York, including Millard Fillmore, Mark H. Sibley, Richard P. Marvin, Arphaxed Loomis, Hiram Gray, John C. Clark, Ogden Hoffman and Henry A. Foster. To be an associate on an equal footing with these able men was in itself a high honor, but for so young a man to hold an honorable and conspicuous place in such a galaxy was remarkable. The sessions of this Congres>. were memorable. The last administration of President Jackson had closed and Mr. Van Buren had entered upon his. The time w as one of great excitement both politically and financially. Owing to the excessive amount of paper currency in circu- lation, speculation was rife, and values, especially in real estate, were greatly inflated. "The specie circular of 1830, by reviving the demand for gold and silver, had destroyed most of those banks not having government deposits in their vaults. The demand for the deposits for distribution among the States compelled the ruin of many of the ' pet banks.' They had treated the deposits as capital, to be used as loans to business men, and now had to return them. The sudden calling in of these loans began the panic of 1837. compared with which nothing had ever been seen in America." On the floor of the House Mr. Parker was invariably lis- tened to with the most respectful attention His language was earnest and unaffected, carrying con- viction by logic rather than by the flowers of rhetoric. His speeches on the Mississippi election case, the Sub-treasury bill, the public lands, and the Cilley and Graves duel were among his most able efforts, and were read with deep interest not only in New York, but all over the Union. His whole Congressional career was marked by boldness, firm- ness, fairness, courtesy and dignity. In 1839 Mr. Parker was nominated for the State Senate, but was defeated by a nominal majority. Although he applied himself diligently to the care of his extensive practice, with no thought of serving any personal ambition, public opinion pointed to him as a suitable candidate for the bench, and in 1844 Governor Bouck, of New York, nominated him for the office of Judge of the Third Circuit. By this appointment, which was immediately confirmed by the Senate, he became Judge and Vice-Chancellor. He then re- moved to Albany, where he has since resided. Three years after he had entered upon his judicial duties, his term was cut off by the adoption of the new State Constitution, which abolished the old Supreme Court and Court of Chancery, and pro- vided a new Supreme Court and an elective judi- ciary. An election to fill the new judgeships was held in June, 1847. The judicial career of Judge Parker had been so acceptable to the bar and the public that he became by common demand a promi- nent candidate for one of the vacant judgeships in the Third Judicial District. In all the counties of that district meetings of the members of the bar were held, and candid and thoughtful addresses com- plimentary to him were delivered by leading law- yers. Elected to office by a remarkably strong vote, he filled the position with high distinction, serving until the expiration of the term, Dec. 31, 1855, and sitting during the last year but one on the bench of the Court of Appeals. Judge Parker has always been an active and uncompromising Democrat of the Jefferson school. He was renominated in 1855 for re-election to the bench, but in that year the American or ''Know Nothing" party swept the State, and he was defeated, although he had the honor of running several thousand votes ahead of the Democratic ticket. "At no time in the history of this State," says a contemporary writer, "has judicial labor been more difficult and responsible than that which Judge Parker was called on to dis- charge during his twelve years service on the bench. It was during this time that the anti-rent excite- ment, which prevailed throughout a large portion of his judicial district, was at its height., crowding the civil calendar with litigation, and the criminal courts with indictments for acts of violence in resist- ing the collection of rents." The history of the anti-rent trials, which took place before Judge Parker and other judges, has lately been written so full}- as to render superfluous any attempt at a de- tailed description in this place. Aside from the trial of "Big Thunder," which took place before Judge Parker at Hudson, over two hundred and forty persons who bad been indicted and arrested were in custody awaiting trial at the Oyer and Ter- miner, at Delhi, in September, 1845. At the close of the third week of the holding of court all the cases had been disposed of by Judge Parker, to whom great credit was unanimously awarded for the suc- cessful discharge of the delicate and difficult duties devolving upon him. As a Justice of the Supreme CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 19 Court and also a Judge of the Court of A ppeals, j J udge Parker's opinions upon new questions of prac- tice, as well as upon questions of principles of law, were regarded by the highest authorities as well considered and well reasoned, and many of his decisions have become prominent as "leading cases" in the law. For clearness of expression, thoroughness of discussion, calmness, impartiality and all absense of pretension or show, they have been pronounced extremely valuable contributions to judicial lore. One of his opinions in particular, that in the leading case of Snedeker v. Warren (2 Kernan, 170), which settled a new and important question, attracted much attention from the bar and the judiciary. On leaving the bench Judge Parker, inspired by an abiding love for his profession, resumed the practice of law in Albany, in partner- ship with his son. General Amasa J. Parker, Jr., afterwards a member of the State Senate from the Seventeenth District. This firm at once took a leading rank in the legal fraternity, and was intrusted with a number of the most important cases brought to trial in the State. In 1876 ex-Judge Edwin Countrj-man, one of the ablest members of the Albany bar, was added to the firm, which then took the style of "Parker & Countryman." Judge Parker seldom argued criminal cases. He often declined to be retained in such cases, notably in that of Wm. M. Tweed, in which instance, it is said, he refused a large fee. One of his most important criminal cases was the defence of Cole for the mur- der of Hiscock. Among his important civil cases argued in the State courts were one involving the title of Trinity Church to property in the City of New York, the Levy will case (23 New York, 97), the famous controversy between the Delaware and 1 Hudson Canal Company and the Pennsylvania Coal : Company, and that of the boundary line between the States of New York and New Jersey (42 New York, 283) Among his celebrated cases was one involving the right to tax national banks, argued before the Supreme Court of the United States, under a retainer from the City of New York (4 Wallace Rep., 244). While practicing law in Albany Judge Parker was repeatedly requested to permit his renomination on the judiciary ticket, but invariably declined. Nevertheless he could not become so wholly ab- sorbed iu professional work as to alienate "himself entirely from politics, and in the fall of 1856 he consented to accept the Democratic nomination for Governor. In this canvass he had two opponents — John A. King, the Republican nominee, and Erastus Brooks, who headed the ticket of the " American " party. The change in public sentiment in this year was very marked, and Mr. King was elected by a large plurality vote. In the judicial district, where Judge Parker was defeated the preceding year by about one thousand votes, he received in this elec- tion several thousand majority, and in the State he ran about ten thousand votes ahead of the Buchanan electoral ticket. Recognizing the Judge's great political strength iu the State of New York, Mr. Buchanan, upon assuming the Presidency, offered him the choice of several offices of distinction, but he respectfully declined them all, and at a later date also declined (by refusing to qualify) the United States District Attorneyship for the Southern Dis- trict of New York, although he had been nominated by the President and confirmed, without a reference, by the Senate of the United States. In the fall of 1858 Judge Parker was again called upon to be the standard bearer of his party in the State. He accepted the gubernatorial nomination and ran against E. D. Morgan, who was elected by a majority of about seventeen thousand votes. In this campaign, as in the previous one, Judge Parker ran many thousand votes ahead of his ticket, thus incontestable proving that he was one of the strong- est and most respected men in the State. While devoted in his allegiance to party, Judge Parker was too patriotic a citizen to allow partisanship pure and simple to over-ride duty to his country. When the events which led to the War of the Rebellion were agitating the country, his voice and his in- fluence were used iu endeavoring to avert the fear- ful storm of civil war which threatened the country. On January 31, 1861, aDemocratic State Convention, called to consider the impending peril of disunion, assembled at Tweddle Hall, xUbany. It was proba- bly the strongest and most imposing assemblage of delegates ever convened within the State. Not less than thirty of them had been chosen to seats in Congress, while three of them had been Democratic candidates for Governor ; one of them, Governor Seymour, once elected, and since chosen again. Though called as Democratic, there was a large and respectable representation of the old Whig party, with a large number who had been " Americans." No convention which had nominations to make, or patronage to dispose of, was ever so influentially constituted. Sanford E. Church, afterwards Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, was temporary chairman, and Judge Parker, President. His speech on taking the chair has passed into history with the productions of the great orators and statesmen of New York. One clause in Judge Parker's speech exhibits the facility with which he could surrender political preferences for the public welfare : " We meet here," he said, "as conservative and representative men who have differed among them- 20 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. selves as to measures of governmental policy, ready, all of them, I trust, to sacrifice such differences upon the altar of our common country. He can be no true patriot who is not ready to yield his own prejudices, to surrender a favorite theory, and to differ even from his own party platform where such differences tend to the general good of his country. Judge Parker never surrendered the belief that with temperate counsels on the part of the Repub- lican leaders, about to assume the control of the Federal Government, civil war could have been avoided ; but when rebellion trained its guns upon Fort Sumter and the flag of the Union, he at once ranged himself with those most active in maintain- ing the Union. But deep and self-sacrificing as was his patriotism, it did not prevent his earnest protest against what he deemed an abuse and an illegal exercise of power by Federal officials, in making unnecessary and arbitrary arrests of North- ern men whose only offence was an honest and independent difference of opinion and a free ex- pression of it on subjects of mere party difference, involving in no way a vigorous prosecution of the war to restore the Union. During the war Judge Parker was frequently called upon professionally to protect the victims of arbitrary arrest, and the manner in which he performed these duties was generally commended by all independent minded citizens. We give an instance, the case of Patrie agt. Murray, tried at the Greene County circuit before Judge Ingalls. The action was brought for the arbitrary arrest and false imprisonment of the plaintiff by the Government. The jury, composed of men from both political parties, gave the plain- tiff a verdict of $9,000 damages. An attempt was made to remove the case after judgment into the United States Circuit Court, under an act of Con- gress that had been passed in 1863, for the purpose, • as was alleged, of defeating such recoveries ; but Judge Parker insisted that the act was unconstitu- tional, in violation of the seventh article of the amendments of the United States Constitution. The State courts, regarding his point well taken, refused to make a return to a writ of error. Ap- plication was then made to the United States Cir- cuit Court to compel the return, and on a demurrer, a peremptory mandamus was adjudged. To review that judgment a writ of error was brought by Judge Parker, and the case was removed into the United States Supreme Court, held at Washington. It was first argued in that court in February, 1869, by Judge Parker for the plaintiff in error, and by William M. Evarts, then Attorney General of the United States, for the defendant in error. The judges were divided upon the question and a reargument was ordered to take place in February, 1870. Judge Hoar, then Attorney General, ap- peared for the defendant in error, and Judge Parker for the plaintiff. In due time the Court handed down a judgment reversing that of the United States Circuit Court, and the unconstitutionality of the act of Congress alluded to was established. This case is replete with interest and instruction, not only to the professional but to the lay reader. The reasoning of the distinguished counsel engaged, the learned and enlightened opinions of the Court, exhibit the fact that under all circumstances the United States Supreme Court is the great binding ligature of the Republic. The case is reported in 9 Wallace U. S. Rep., 274. Judge Parker was a delegate from the County of Albany to the State Constitutional Convention in 1867, and served upon several of its committees, notably the judiciary, in which he took a leading part in framing the article on the judiciary, which was the only portion of the constitution submitted to the people that was finally adopted by them. On the bench, at the bar and in the stirring arena of politics, Judge Parker has won many tangible victories and an honorable renown which is one of the glories of the great State of New York. But more than this, he has ornamented civil life to a degree which has been rarely excelled. Apart from professional labors or political employment, he has set an example of pure citizenship which will live in its results years after he himself has passed from the scene of his earthly efforts. An ardent friend of the cause of education, he has served it with distinction as President of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Female Academy, as President of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Medical College, as a Trus- tee of Cornell University, and as one of the govern- ors of Union University— all this in addition to ten years of active service in the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. In con- junction with the late Judge Ira Harris and Amos Dean he founded the Albany Law School, in which for a period of nearly twenty years he filled with exceptional ability an important professorship. He is a man of large culture, both general and classical, and his high literary attainments and eminent ser- vices to public education were most appropriately acknowledged by the degree of Doctor of Laws, conferred upon him, in 1846, by Geneva College. Prompted by a wise, humane and Christian interest in one of the most unfortunate, and at that time most neglected classes of the sick and ailing, Judge Parker, when a Member of Assembly in 1834, made a report urging the establishment of a State Hospit- al for the Insane, which led to a more full consid- eration of the subject by the people, though it was CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. not till some years afterwards that the first public State institution of this kind was founded. Aware of Judge Parker's initiative in this matter, Governor Fcnton appointed him a trustee of the Hospital for the Insane at Poughkeepsie. The duties of this trust he discharged with scrupulous attention until 1881, when he resigned and Governor Cornell ap- pointed his son, Senator Amasa J. Parker, as his successor. Judge Parker married in 1834 Miss Harriet 'Langdon Roberts, of Portsmouth, N. H. Of the children born to this union, four — Mrs. John V. L. Pruyn, Amasa J. Parker, Jr., Mrs. Erastus Corning, and Mrs. Selden E. Marvin — still survive. His beautiful home, the abode of happiness to its inmates, will belong and gratefully remembered by the very many others who have enjoyed its refined, elegant and most generous hospitality. As a citi- zen and in private life Judge Parker holds the highest rank. He is greatly prized in the wide cir- cle in which he moves, and of which he has at all times been a conspicuous and most influential mem- ber. His manner, at once dignified and cordial, his sincere, ardent, kindly, bold and manly nature, his warm and steady fidelity as a friend, the high moral principles which, as well as his intellectual superi- ority, have marked his action in every relation of life, have made him a very distinguished citizen in the history of the State. CARNOCHAN, JOHN MURRAY, M.D., for forty years a practitioner in the city of New York, one of the most eminent surgeons of the United States, famous at home and abroad for the skill, originality and success of his operations, was born in Savannah, Georgia, July 4, 1817, and died at his residence, No. 14 East Sixteenth street, New York, Oct. 28, 1887. He was the son of John Carnochan, a wealthy merchant and planter, who, when a young man, removed from Scotland, in the beginning of this century, to Nassau, in the West Indies, and thence, after a few years, to Savannah. His mother, Harriet Frances Putnam Carnochan, was a great- niece of the Revolutionary hero, General Israel Put- nam, and, on her mother's side, a grand-daughter of Dr. Fraser, a distinguished surgeon of the British army. The two brothers of John Carnochan came also to America. The elder, William, a friend of the poet Burns in the old country, loved rural life and became a planter in Georgia. The younger, Richard, engaged in business in Charleston, 8. C, and became one of the leading merchants of that city. Both died without issue. Their nephew, the subject of this sketch, was one of a family of three children, consisting of himself and two sisters. "The ancestral home of the Carnochans, in Scot- land," writes Mr. John R. Abney, in his obituary notice of Dr. Carnochan prepared for the Memorial Book of the New York Southern Society, " whence these brothers came, was Gate House, of Fleet, Kirkcudbright, in the beautiful district of Galloway, which borders upon Ayrshire." The family home was left in the keeping of two maiden sisters of his father, Mary and Rachel Carnochan; and at the age of six years, John Murray Carnochan, not being of robust health, was taken by his father and mother from Savannah to Liverpool on a sailing vessel, and thence to his aunts' house. His sojourn was pro- posed to be for only a year; but the two ladies be- came strongly attached to him, and would never consent to his return to America, until eleven years had passed. He was bright, winning, the only male child in all the family, and he bore the name of their mother, who was one of the celebrated Murrays of the Lowlands ; it was thus only natural that they should cling to him as long as possible. Meanwhile, however, they recognized, with his parents, the importance of education, and he was sent to school at Edinburgh. At that time the great names in Edinburgh were Wilson in philosophy, Hope in chemistry, Knox in anatomy and Syme and Liston in operative surgery. The genius of these eminent men exercised over the young and thoughtful mind of the future great American - surgeon a most powerful influence, which in after years be- came manifest. He graduated with high honors at the celebrated High School of Edinburgh and then entered the University, where he completed the course and took his degree at the unusually early age of seventeen years. Influenced by the attain- ments and example of the distinguished men we have named, he yielded to impulses which were irresistible, and resolved to adopt the profession of medicine. While still pursuing his studies at the University, he began of his own accord a course of instruction at the Royal College of Surgeons, under the illustrious Professor Syme. But his parents could no longer restrain their desire to see him ; and he returned to America to take needed rest from his studies. Precious among the souvenirs he brought with him to his native land, was a letter from Dr. Knox, the President of the Royal College of Surgeons, begging the father not to interfere with his son's inclination toward the profession of sur- gery, and declaring that he was "destined to be a shining light in the world." After spending a short time at his home in Georgia, he went to New York City, where he placed himself under the instruction of the celebrated Dr. Valentine Mott. Dr. Mott 22 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. took a strong fancy to young Carnochan, and was outspoken in admiration of his budding talent. He constantly referred to him as his" most distinguished pupil," and took the most cordial interest in his advancement. Having carried through the usual course of instruction at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the young student passed the pre- scribed examinations, and received the diploma of Doctor of Medicine in 1836. Then, to prepare himself still more thoroughly for his life-work, he went to Paris and enrolled himself as a student in the Ecole de Me"decine. For six years, he " walked the hospitals," as it was then expressed, of the great capital of science, and attended clinical lec- tures by the most distinguished professors. He profited by the example of Civiale, Lisfranc, Roux, and Velpeau. and by personal intercourse with them and other distinguished medical men. From Paris he went to London and studied what was there to be learned in the hospitals and clinics of that great metropolis, under t he guidance of Brodie, Sir Astley Cooper and other surgeons of world-wide renown. While there he was offered a partnership by the great Liston, but he declined it, as he preferred to make America the field for his work. In after life he kept up correspondence with many of the distinguished European surgeons with whom he had established relations of friendship, and he always found in them an appreciation even warmer than was accorded him at home. At last, in 1847, he returned to America, thoroughly ecpiipped by tem- perament and training for the career which he was destined to pursue. He fixed his residence in New York City and began his labors as a regular practi- tioner in the profession which for forty years he adorned with rare genius, and in which, by his nu- merous daring and original achievements, he gained honor and fame both at home and abroad. In the department of surgery, especially, he speedily at- tracted attention and awakened applause, and within a few years he was ranked among the ablest opera- tors in the world. When, in 1850, the Board of Emigration Commissioners was established for the protection of foreigners arriving in this country through the port of New York, Dr. Carnochan was selected to take charge of the hospital for immi- grants on Ward's Island ; and it was he who, as Surgeon-in-chief, organized that institution. Here he had an excellent opportunity both for enlarging his experience and for exhibiting his skill. He remained the executive head of this hospital for more than a quarter of a century. In 1851 he accepted the appointment of Professor of the Prin- ciples and Operations of Surgery in the New York Medical College, and for twelve years, he brilliantly set forth before large classes of stu- dents, the treasures of science and research with which his mind was stored. This medical institu- tion had attained celebrity from the high reputation and practical talent of the professors connected with it, but was discontinued during the Civil War on account of the loss of Southern patron- age, by which it had beerl to a great extent sup- ported. In 1870 Dr. Carnochan was appointed by Governor Hoffman Health Officer of the Port of New York, the State Senate endorsing the appoint- ment by a unanimous vote. He assumed the duties of this responsible position with a thorough under- standing of its requirements and with advanced views on the subject of an effective quarantine. In the discharge of his duties as Health Officer he was not slow to display the same characteristic ability which had given him so distinguished success in his private professional practice. " His administra- tive talent " writes an observer of his course, " to- gether with his intelligent discrimination and fore- sight, enabled him to establish a prompt and effective quarantine without unnecessarily embarrassing the pursuits of commerce ; in fact, he reduced his ad- ministration to a system based upon principles and laws which preside over and govern all quarantina- ble diseases." In his report for the year ending December 81, 1870, he dwells at considerable length upon the importance of systematic temporary isola- tion as a means for preventing the spread of con- tagious diseases. The following extract from this report outlines the system he was the first to recommend : "The subject of quarantine, as now properly understood, has numerous reciprocal relations in connection with the interests of commerce and the preservation of the public health. It should be considered with the view of reducing its manage- ment to a regular system, in order that the various details may' be carried out with promptness and discrimination, and in such a manner as to impose the least possible restraint upon commercial enter- prise compatible with the public safety. The quar- antine laws were originally made to guard against the introduction of pestilential diseases into our country by the arrival of infected vessels at the various seaports. Sanitary and commercial interests are thus apparently, by an implied necessity of restraint, thrown into a kind of antagonism. By a proper knowledge, however, of the history, progress and laws which govern the course of pestilential maladies, the regulation of quarantine can be so systematized as to accomplish, in a great degree, the objects for which quarantine was instituted, and yet not necessarily embarrass the pursuits of commerce, except so far as to insure the general safety of the community. To carry on properly, however, a system with these ends in view, the necessary facilities for administration must be provided. It is of great importance that persons arriving from CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 23 infected localities who are suffering with disease shall be completely isolated, at the same time that they be well cared for, and receive good medical attention. The second class of persons who should be subjected to quarantine are those who have been exposed to infection, and who may have the seeds of disease lurking in their system. These should, also, be isolated for a certain length of time, in order to afford opportunity for observation of their condi- tion during the period of incubation which is com- mon to contagious diseases. Persons who have been exposed to a malarial atmosphere, or who have been breathing, for a time, a close air charged with pestilential poison, should not be permitted to min- gle freely in a healthy community, as thereby disease is apt to be developed; still, it would be injurious and inhuman to keep those who have been merely exposed to disease in contact or com- munication with the sick. To meet the require- ments of tins class of persons, means must be pro- vided to secure positive isolation and the various hygienic appliances for the prevention of disease, and the elimination of the pestilential influences with which their systems may be charged, while the various comforts of good diet, pure air, clean bed- ding, etc., shall be provided. The construction of artificial islands in the lower bay, with an area of from two to three acres, sufficient in extent for the erection of hospitals and other appropriate build- ings for the accommodation and hygienic manage- ment of the sick and infected, and placed sufficiently remote to insure immunity from danger of the spread of disease, will secure incalculable benefits to the citizens of New York and the adjoining cities of Brooklyn and Jersey City. From the extensive and wide-spread ramifications of the mercantile interests of the city of New York pestilential diseases must necessarily find their way to the harbor of the great commercial emporium of the country: yet, with such structures located at the mouth of the harbor, offering every comfort to the unfortunate sufferers, combined with a well-regu- lated administration of quarantine, the public may rest in tranquil safety while pestilence is kept at bay at the very gates of the city." In the main these valuable suggestions were approved and adopted by the Legislative authori- ties ; and as they were faithfully carried out, the port of New York became, in the matter of quaran- tine management, one of the model ports of the world. During Dr. C'aruochan's administration, cholera and yellow fever appeared frequently, but through his foresight aud careful management they were confined to the limits of the harbor and did not reach the city. In February, 1872, Dr. Car- nochan's term of office expired, and lie resumed the active practice of his profession in New York, and continued in it to the very day of his death. During his long and active career, Dr. Carnochan performed many wonderful operations, which early signalized him as one of the most daring and skill- ful among contemporary surgeons. In 1852 he inaugurated the practice of treating elephantiasis aralrimhy ligature of the femoral artery: and he I was the first successfully to treat that disease. On , this subject Professor Erichsen, of the London University, wrote him : " I have pursued the details of your cases with great interest, and have been especially struck by the account of the successful ligature of the femoral artery for that otherwise intractable disease [elephantiasis]. The operation was certainly a bold step, but one that the result shows to have been the proper one to take ; and it certainly does infinite credit to your judgment and skill to have devised a successful treatment for this complaint." In the Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Chirur- gie, for June, 1875, Professor Wernher, of Mayence, an eminent authority, alludes in laudatory terms to the skill of Dr. Carnochan, and he has compiled a table of cases of elephantiasis in which Dr. Carno- ehan'S operations have beenfollowed. In 1852 he per- formed the operation of amputating for ostitis and caries the entire lower jaw, with disarticulation of both condyles at one sitting. This was the first suc- : cessful operation of the kind reported in the annals 1 of surgery. Later he successfully repeated the same delicate operation for osteo-sarcoma. He was also the first to treat, two years later, extensive enlargement and disease of the ulna by the removal of the entire bone, saving the arm with its functions unimpaired. In another case, where a similar disease affected the radius, he removed this bone with equal success. In 1856 he performed for the first time one of the most formidable and original operations on record, in exsecting for the cure of facial neuralgia the entire trunk of the second branch of the fifth pair of nerves, from the infraor- bital foramen beyond the ganglion of Meckel, as far as the foramen rotundum at the base of the skull, thus locating the source of pain and disease on the trunk of the nerve anterior to the Gasserian gang- lion, and giving anew pathology to the disease. He repeated this operation several times with the same success — a feat never attempted before or since by anot her surgeon. Amputation at the hip joint — one of the major operations in surgery, — he performed a number of times ; once, on May 18, 1864, at the battle of Spottsylvauia, where, for the time being, he was acting in his professional capacity under orders of the Surgeon-General of the United States Army. In the practice of ovariotomy he was unusu- ally skillful and almost always successful. Besides those mentioned, he performed all the more difficult operations known in surgery and was the first to perform not a few of them. Among these may be mentioned the tying of both common carotid arteries in a case of elephantiasis of the head, face and neck, and the tying of the common carotid on one side and the external carotid on the other, for hypertrophy of 24 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the tongue. In following up the different modes of practice upon extensive varicose enlargement of the veins of the leg and thigh, he tied the femoral artery on a number of patients. In 1857 he exsected the entire os calcis for ostitis, enlargement and caries ; and he also performed successfully amputation at the shoulder-joint for an osteo-fibro-cartilaginous tumor of the humerus, which tumor weighed eighteen pounds and is the largest on record in con- nection with an operation of this nature. Besides six original operations, he inaugurated the practice of performing double capital operations at the same time and of injecting coagulating material into the morbid mass for tumors of the jaws, formerly sup- posed to be malignant aud incapable of treatment except by exsection of the bone; and in cases of immobility of the lower jaw from osseous anchylosis he was the first to operate by exsection of a portion of the jaw. Working from the most strictly scien- tific bases, he operated with great daring and orig- inality, thus emulating the example of his pre- ceptor, Dr. Valentine Mott, and like him con- tributing largely to the advancement of surgical science. In addition to the great reputation Dr. Carnochan derived from his remarkably comprehen- sive and successful practice, he made a distinguished name for himself as a medical author Early in his professional career he published a work which quickly became famous and added to the promi- nence of its author. It was entitled : A treatise on the Etiology, Pathology, and Treatment of Congenital Dislocation of the Head of the Femur, a disease the ca\ise of which he was the first to discover. A number of Dr. Carnochan's lectures have been pub- lished, among them those on Lithotomy and Lith- otrity and on Partial Amputations of the Foot, In 1877 he began the publication of a work to which lie gave the name : Contributions to Operative Sur- gery and Surgical Pathology, the material for which was taken from his own practice during a period of thirty years. The first volume of this valuable work had just been completed at the time of his death, and has been issued from the press of Messrs. Harper & Brothers, of New York. In the early numbers of Contributions to Operative Surgery is found what is acknowledged to be the most exhaus- tive account ever written of the phenomena of shock and collapse after an injury to the human frame. Besides his original writings he translated some important foreign works, among them, Se"dil- lot's Traite de Medecine Operative, Bandages et Ap- pareils, and Karl Rotikansky's Handbuch der Patho- loginchen Anatomic The late Dr. Samuel D. Gross, the eminent Professor of Surgery in Jefferson Medi- cal College, Philadelphia, in his able contribution to the history of surgery, entitled : A Century of Ameri- can Medicine, published in 1876, refers to Dr. Car- nochan more often than to almost any other medical man, giving him full credit for his discoveries and operations, and ranking him with the most distinguished surgeons of the century. In the social life of the metropolis Dr. Carnochan was for many years a central figure. To a personal presence of unusual attractiveness he added the most charming manners and rare conversational powers. These qualities in conjunction with his high professional standing made him more than ordinarily welcome at all gatherings, both public and private. He pos- sessed remarkable vitality, and not only kept fully abreast of all the discoveries and advances made in modem surgery, but visited patients and gave atten- tion to all the general duties of his profession, to the very last. In September, 1887, he attended the International Medical Congress held at Washington, where he had the opportunity to see again a number of his European medical friends. At this Con- gress he read, before the Section in General Surgery, two papers which attracted marked atten- tion, — one on Bony Union of Intracapsular Fracture of the Neck of the Femur, and the other on Congenital Dislocation of the Hip Joint. The specimens illus- trating these papers were exhibited to the Congress, and have since been deposited, the hip-joint case in the Royal College of Surgeons, after exhibition by Mr. William Adams, before the Pathological So- ciety of London, and the other in the Dupuytren Museum, in Paris. Both papers are published in full with illustrations, in the Transactions of the International Medical Congress. Ninth Session : Vol. I. Washington, 1887. Despite advancing years Dr. Carnochan always seemed to enjoy life with extraordinary zest : and late in life he continued to find in literary work the needed outlet for his un- wearying mental activity. His death resulted from a stroke of apoplexy, evidently prepared by prostra- tion due to the severe heat of the preceding summer. Through a mistake to be ascribed to negligent edit- ing, one of the popular encyclopedias had set forth that Dr. Carnochan's death occurred in 1876. To those of the Doctor's colleagues in medicine whose knowledge of him was drawn from this unreliable source, it must have been a startling experience to see him rise in perfect health of mind and body and address the International Medical Congress at Washington in 1887, and to learn that the eleven in- tervening years had been devoted to incessant prac- tice and fruitful literary work. It is doubtless true, as has been said, that " a man is born a surgeon as he is born a poet or a painter." Surgical tact is, in- deed, a gift of nature; but unless it be fortified by CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 25 diligent study, great powers of observation and application, and long experience, the achievements of this natural gift must remain inconsiderable. Dr. Carnochan possessed this rare natural tact in an unusual degree ; but far from relying solely upon this he devoted his entire life to the acquire- ment of the exact knowledge which, as he would have been the first to recognize, was essential to the useful application of his inborn gift. One of the theories he held, the one which, as he believed, was of the highest service - to him in his operations, was that success is always subordinate to general treatment: and he never operated without assuring himself that his patient had been fully prepared by appropriate regimen, for the ordeal, and that the sufferer's general health would undergo no avoidable risk through the opera- tion. His theory of action was beautifully outlined by him in an early lecture before one of his classes in surgery. He said: " While respect for life will dictate to the surgeon the greatest prudence — will counsel him to attempt no operation which he would not be willing to perform on his own child, — it will also teach him that if the extremes of boldness are to be shunned, pusillanimity is not the necessary alternative. The surgeon who has not sufficient courage to propose a useful operation, and sufficient skill to perform it, is as open to censure as the reck- less practitioner who is swayed by the unworthy lure of notoriety." One who knew Dr. Carnochan during the later years of his life — "a period when one's traits become intensified and the whole man unfolds himself to the world's view, like the sun as it is sinking to rest at the end of its course," says of him that he was an accomplished man, of strong will, like the Scot that he was, but with a just and tender heart, true to friendship, but not blind to faults, of unaffected, dignified and pleasing manner, and of handsome person — being a good deal above medium size, with finely chiseled features, and having eyes so lustrous even in his old age as to indicate to the least observing that the fires of genius burned within. Dr. Carnochan married, in the latter part of 1856, Miss Estelle Mor- ris, daughter of Major General William Walton Morris, United States Army, and a great grand- daughter of Lewis Morris, a Signer of the Declara- tion of Independence. His esteemed widow and five children survive him. HEALD, DANIEL ADDISON, President of the Home Insurance Company of New York, and the leading fire underwriter of the United States, comes of sound Puritan stock, whose trans- planting from old to New England dates back more than two and a half centuries; the family having been among the first settlers of Concord, Massachu- setts, arriving there from Berwick, England, in 1635. Both his grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolu- tion, the paternal one fighting at Concord Bridge, Bunker Hill, and in other engagements; the mater- nal, whose name was Edwards, served creditably as captain in the army under Washington. A daugh- ter of Captain Edsvards married Amos Heald, a son of the first named patriot. Daniel Addison Heald, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest child of this marriage ; born May 4, 1818, at Chester, Ver- mont, where Amos Heald owned and tilled one of the largest and best farms in the State. Young Heald spent the first sixteen years of his life on the parental farm, sharing in every labor of the field. His inclinations and ambitions made him studious, and he neglected no opportunity for mental improve- ment. The mountains around his father's farm seemed to beckon, and to say to his aspirations "Climb! the world is on the other side of us." A good education was what he craved, and determined to have. Under the circumstances by which he was surrounded it was no easy matter to prepare for a classical education, but he successfully accom- plished the task, for, after spending two years at a preparatory school in Meriden, New Hampshire, he entered Yale College, where he took the full academic course, and was graduated with honor in 1841, at the age of twenty-three. During his senior year at Yale he read law under the direction of Judge Daggett, of New Haven, and subsequently for two years in the office of Judge Washburn, of Lud- low, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar of the State of Vermont in May, 1843. In connection with his law practice he conducted a fire insurance busi- ness as agent for the ./Etna, and other Hartford companies, and won for himself in each capacity so excellent a reputation, that in 1856 the Home, then a young company, invited him to become its General Agent. He accepted the offer and immediately en- tered upon his duties, with headquarters in New York City. After twelve years of service in this capacity, he was rewarded for his diligence, zeal and fidelity by being chosen Second Vice-President of the company. In 1883 Vice-President Willmarth resigning, Mr. Heald succeeded to that office ; and at the annual election in 1888 he was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of President Martin. The company at the time Mr. Heald en- tered its service had a capital of $500,000, and total assets of #872,823-. Its capital is now three millions and its assets nearly nine millions. It has an income of nearly four and three-quarters millions and covers 26 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. with its policies property values of more than seven hundred millions. It passed through the great fires at Portland, JIaine, St. John, New Brunswick, Chicago and Boston, paying in full and promptly every dollar of its large losses, and has become one among the four greatest fire insurance companies in the world. It detracts no whit from the just praise of any other man now or ever connected with the company to say that a very large share of the credit for the Home's present standing belongs to Mr. Heald, who has been graphically described as the possessor of " the most active brain in fire insurance management on this continent, and as ranking second to none among the great men who have made the business of fire insurance what it is in this coun- try." From his earliest transactions in the business he has been impressed by the fact that its successful conduct depends upon its mastery as a science, and realizing that no man can know too much in the fire insurance business, his course has constantly been " onward and upward." A good lawyer, a good chemist, a good architect, a good financier, a good judge of men, an accurate acquaintance with the values of all things fire-insurable, and well in- formed on the constantly varying and multiplying causes of tire, and the means and appliances of fire prevention and extinction — all these combined would not constitute a fire insurance manager too well equipped for his profession. No branch of knowledge comes amiss to the all around fire under- writer. The wind currents and the rainfall, the state of trade, the condition of the labor market, the crops, financial panics, legislatures and courts of justice, fire departments, water works, building laws, tramps, criminals who burn with felonious design, and the careless who let fires happen — these and many other things are of immediate interest to him, for they all touch his business. He has to conduct that business so as to take care at once of policy holders and stock holders, to get adequate rates in the teeth of close and often unfair competi- tion, to avoid law suits and yet not encourage scoundrels by submitting to uujust claims, and as far as possible to guard against the perils of hostile legislation. It thus takes an able man to build up and successfully manage a fire insurance company. It will therefore in no wise be flattery to adjudge Mr. Heald an able man, upon the record and stand- ing of the Home Insurance Company, upon which he has so fully stamped his own personality. But Mr. Heald has not been busy all these years with simply the affairs of the one company. The whole system of fire insurance in the United States has engaged his studious attention, and for the bettering of it, for the settling of it on a safe and equitable and en- during basis, he has wrought side by side with the best men of the profession. His has always been the broad view, an outlook from the loftiest attain- able height to the widest sweep of horizon. Twenty- three years ago the need of union was startlingly revealed in the light of the great Portland fire, which calamity culminated a long period of strife and demoralization among fire insurance companies, and directly after which (July, 1806) the National Board of Fire Underwriters was organized. Mr, Heald was one of the prime movers in this impor- tant enterprise and contributed more than any other one member toward the benefits resulting from its organization. In this body he has been a conspicu- ous figure since its formation, and has served it with distinguished ability either as Chairman of the Executive Committee or as President, during almost the entire period. His addresses will always hold a high place in the permanent literature of the profession, and in themselves they constitute an en- during monument to their clear-headed and pains- taking author. Among his addresses the one entitled "Fire Underwriting as a Profession" and delivered at Chicago in September, 1880, before the Fire Underwriters Association of the Northwest, is I especially noteworthy. A most able oration it was, and the orator was a living illustration of his theme. In course of it he said : "The Temple of Honor has no room for those who throng her portals, without forcing her gates and leaving traces of their stay within her walls." This is the keystone of the speech, and of the man's life. The true underwriter belongs to the Temple of Honor. He gets there by strong and honest endeavor to do large and needed service to those of his generation. For all the time replacing loss, he is showing how to avoid loss, how to build better and to take more care ; so that a hundred years from now, there shall be more safety in home and shop and office to certify that he once lived and wrought. He has also been an inspiration in the New York Board of Fire Under- writers for many years, having held all the official positions he was willing to accept, and being an as- siduous worker in the general interests for upwards of thirty years. Although just beyond three score and ten years Mr. Heald can hardly be accounted an old man yet. Of slender build, about five feet ten in height, with a scholarly bend of the shoulders, grayish blue eyes, lighting instantly to the touch of humor, step sprightly, every faculty alert, dispatch- ing business easily without fuss, loved and honored by his fellow citizens ; this is Daniel Addison Heald, without whose name the history of fire insur- ance in the United States could not be correctly written. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 27 [C CREADY, NATHANIEL L'HOMMEDIEU a prominent citizen of New York City, and for twenty years preceding his death President of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, was born in the city named, Oct. 4, 1820, and died suddenly at sea on the Cunard Steamship Etruria, Oct. 3 1887 He was a son of Thomas McCready, a member of the old family of that name in this city. After completing his school education he went to Mobile, Alabama, to acquire his business training, — having evinced a decided preference for mercantile life, — and in a few years had made himself sufficiently mas- ter of the shipping business and commercial forms and methods to warrant his engaging in business on his own account. In 1840 he returned to his native city and established the shipping and commission house of N. L. McCready & Co., at the head of which he remained for a quarter of a century, and the enterprise proved a success. In 1865 he retired from this business and associated himself with the steamship line of Livingston, Fox & Co. and two years after established the Old Dominion Steam- ship Company, which was probably the most con- spicuous proof of Mr. McCready's great personal energy and admirable business faculty. Its begin- nings were small, but having been made, its resolute founder threw his whole skill, energy and time into the work of developing them to the limit of their possibilities. His nature was one of ceaseless activity ; and having by vigor and foresight added a new 'and important avenue of trade to those already existing in his native city, he was ambitious of doing his full share in securing for it a solid pros- perity. On the very day the Old Dominion Line was organized Mr. McCready was chosen President of the company. He proved himself possessed of a rare talent for directing the complex affairs and in- terests of the enterprise, and under his energetic and intelligent management, it rose, steadily, to a 1 osition of leading importance among the great steamship organizations of the country. Mr. McCready was one of the most upright of business men and he exercised great weight in the commer- cial affairs of the city of New York. He was a Director in the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company, the Empire City Fire Insurance Company, the "Washington Life Insurance Company and the Mis- souri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company. With the last named organization he was prominently connected as a Director for a period of fourteen years, and for a time was its President. He was also an esteemed member of the New York Chamber of Commerce, and of the Union and St. Nicholas Clubs. As early as 1847 he was elected an Honor- ary Member of the Marine Society. A most strik- ing trait of Mr. McCready's character was its manly firmness, to which no little of his success in life may be traced. This was exemplified in a notable degree during one of the great strikes of the 'longshoremen of the North River front, which occurred a short time previous to his death. Notwithstanding all manner of coercion he firmly adhered to his policy in dealing with the strikers, even when other firms and corporations had decided to yield. In taking this stand he acted with great boldness and courage, and was successful in carrying his point, which, in this special case, he deemed one of principle as well as business necessity. Mr. McCready was a man of strong religious convictions and faithful in his adherence to and respect for the teachings of the Christian church. He was a regular attendant at the Reformed Church at Fifth Avenue and Twenty- first Street, New York City, and was a generous contributor to its various charities. He was always a staunch Democrat, and although he never took an active personal part in political matters, he kept him- self thoroughly well informed in regard to all gov- ernment affairs, and was a most entertaining talker on these and other frequently discussed topics. He was a man of kindly nature and warm impulses, and in social as well as business and religious circles he made many friends. In his home life he was especially affectionate, happy and beloved. With the increase of his wealth, his business cares inten- sified, but not to a degree which caused any neglect of his duties as a citizen, a neighbor, or the head of • a family. His hospitalities were elegant and bounti- ful: and his private charities flowed in a steady stream but entirely without ostentation. For these qualities, as well as for his remarkable executive ability, high integrity and tireless energy, he will long be remembered. For a number of years pre- vious to his death Mr. McCready had suffered from asthma, and every summer it had been his custom to spend several months travelling in Northern Europe with his family, he having found that the voyage and the change of climate were beneficial to him. On his last trip, while sojourning in Norway, he contracted a cold, but was not thought to be seriously ill when he left that country in the latter part of September, 1887, on his way home via Liver- pool. Soon after embarking at Liverpool he was obliged to keep his stateroom, and on Monday at eleven o'clock in the evening expired of "heart failure," superinduced by the asthmatic affection from which he had so long suffered. The news of his death elicited many sincere expressions of regret j from his former colleagues in the business world j and the various corporations with which he had been so long actively and successfully identified. 28 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. At a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, held in the city of New York, October 28, 1887, the following was adopted : Resolved, That this Board unite with the family of their late President, NATHANIEL L'HOMME- DIEU McCREADY, in sorrow at the loss they sus- tained. The creator of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, he lived to successfully conduct his con- ception from small proportions to a rank equal with the largest steamship organizations of the country, and in all this period of more than twenty years the success of the company was mainly due to his vigorous and intelligent management of its affairs. Mr. McCready became endeared to his associates in the directory'by his uniform courtesy and considera- tion for themselves and in testimony of their esteem it is Ordered. That this resolution be spread upon the records of the company and a copy transmitted to his family. John M. Robinson, President. W. H. Stamford, Secretary. The Executive Committee of the Board of Direc- tors of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company, at a meeting held October 18, 1887 : Resolved, That in the death of MR. N. L. Mi CREADY, who for more than fourteen years was a director of this company, and during a portion of that period its presiding officer, the company lias lost a faithful counsellor and firm friend. Dur- ing the early history of the company, when it was almost on the verge of dissolution owing to pressing financial embarrassments, Mr. McCready, with that untiring devotion born of faith in the enterprise and characteristic of him in all his business undertak- ings, gave his best efforts in connection with those of his associates in the Board of Directors to saving the property from disintegration, and to hislabors at that time is largely due the successful issue out of the troubles that then beset the company. Resolved, That we share the sorrow of his family and extend to them our most cordial sympathy in their bereavement. Resolved, That a copy of these minutes be en- grossed and sent to the family of Mr. McCready as a token of personal regard. H. B. Hbnson, Secretary. The Coastwise Steamship Association, of which he was the first President, likewise held a special meeting, October 11, 1887, to take action on his death. Vice-President D. D. C. Mink occupied the chair, and Bentley D. Hassel acted as Secretary. After the passage of appropriate resolutions of respect and condolence, Mr. W. H. Stanford, an old friend and close associate of the deceased, made a brief address, alluding in feeling terms to his many virtues. Mr. McCready married in 1846, in the city of New York, Miss Caroline Amanda Waldron, a lineal descendant of Resolved Waldron, who came to New Amsterdam in the suite of Governor Peter Stuyvesant. This lady survives her husband. Of their family of five children, only two are now living, viz: Mrs. William Ward Robbins and Nathaniel L. McCready. A brother of the deceased, Dr. Benjamin McCready, long a Professor in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, is one of the oldest and most esteemed members of the medical profession in New York City. RANSOM, HON. RASTUS SENECA, Surrogate of the City and County of New York, was born at Mount Hawley, Peoria County, Illinois, March 31, 1839. On both the paternal and maternal side he derives from New England ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Robert Ransom, was born at Vergennes, Vermont, August 13, 1788. His pater- nal grandmother, whose maiden name was Lucy Stacy, was born at New Salem, Massachusetts, July 23, 1792. Early in their married life Robert Ransom and his wife removed to New York State and settled on a farm in the town of Hamilton, Madison County. Some years later they removed to the town of Fen- ner, Madison Co. Notwithstanding many disadvan- tages their industrious and thrifty habits enabled them to win a good share of prosperity. They were also intelligent and religious people and stood high in the esteem of their neighbors. Reuben Harris Ransom, son of the preceding and father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Hamilton, November 11. 1818. On May 7, 1837, being then but a few months more than eighteen years of age, he married Nancy Caroline Virgil, a native of the town of Mexico, Oswego County, New York. This lady's father, Abram Virgil, a farmer of means and stand- ing, was born in the town of Egremont, Massachu- setts, of which place her mother, whose maiden name was Laura Hatch, was also a native. Shortly after his marriage Reuben and his young wife went west to join the former's elder brother, Rastus Seneca Ransom, who had settled at Peoria. A stay of a year and a half in the western country, during which their first child, the subject of this sketch, was born, sufficed to dissipate their dream of life on the prairies, and they returned to Madison County, New York, where their three subsequent children were bom. Owing to domestic affliction young Rastus was thrown upon his own resources at the age of eleven years. He was a slender, delicate boy, but managed to hold his own by farm labor, although his lot was hard and not an enviable one. Until fif- teen he attended school in the winter season, with regularity, and was quite apt in his books. At six- teen he was enabled by considerable effort to attend for one terrn the High School in.Perryville, Madison CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 9 County, a private, select institution, originated, superintended and taught by Mr. Daniel Baldwin, a talented young graduate of Yale College. In the winter of his seventeenth year Rastus himself taught a district school, and, from the meagre salary of this position managed to save a few dollars, which be employed, in the following summer, in paying his fare to Wisconsin, whither he went in the hope of bettering his fortune, under the protection of his uncle, Charles Rolliu Ransom, younger than his father, who had quite a good farm at Token Creek, about ten miles from Madison, the capital of the State. Working at farm labor during the sum- mer, for moderate wages, and teaching school dur- ing the long and dreary winter, young Ransom spent about three years in the West. That section of the country was very prosperous, all things con- sidered, and the intelligence of the people caused the schools to be well attended. Each winter the young schoolmaster got a larger school and of course a slightly larger salary. At length the time came when he felt he could put into execution the resolve he had formed when a neglected, struggling boy, that if he lived he would become a lawyer. Pack- ing up his few earthly possessions, he bade good-bye to his uncle and returned to New York. With his knowledge of "ways and means," the young man found no great difficulty, backed by his little sav- ings, in getting through another year, which he devoted chiefly to study, attending an excellent academy, the principal of which, Mr. M. S. Con- verse, a man of great learning and the most kindly nature, took a warm interest in the poor, but ambitious and industrious pupil. In the winter of 1869-61 he obtained a position as teacher in a large school at Pine Woods, near Elmira, and although the management involved hard work, and also con- stant application to keep his own studies sufficiently advanced to enable him to direct those of his pupils, he succeeded admirably, being thoughtfully and generously assisted in doing so by Mr. Converse, whose almost parental kindness to him at this criti- cal period in his life Mr. Ransom still speaks of with emotion and gratitude. About this time Mr. Ransom entered, as a student of law, the office of Judge Theodore North, of Elmira. one of the most excellent lawyers in the Southern tier. But the out- break of the War of the Rebellion temporarily put an end to the perusal of Coke and Blackstone. Elmira became almost immediately an important depot for soldiery and supplies. Every young man seemed to catch the patriotic spirit and martial en- thusiasm which prevaded the place, and within a month or two after the firing on Sumter, Mr. Ran- som was associated with his friend, Edmund O. Beers, of Elmira, in raising a company of volunteers for the regiment then being organized by Col. Charles B. Stuart, a prominent and well known civil engineer, who had recently been engaged in im- portant work upon the New York and Erie Railroad. This regiment, composed largely of mechanics, was known as the 50th N. Y. Volunteer Engineers, and was one of the most excellent furnished by the State. Its ranks filled, it was mustered into the service of the United States, September 14, 1861, " for three years or the war," and in a few days was en route for "the front," Mr. Ransom, now the happy possessor of a commission as First Lieu- tenant, going off in the company he had aided in recruiting, which was commanded by Capt. Beers. Some months after the arrival of the "50th" in Washington it was ordered across the Potomac to active duty at "the front," under the command of Gen. Daniel Butterfield. Two months later it was ordered into winter quarters on the Anacosta River, near the Washington Navy Yard, and remained in these quarters until the Army of the Potomac — of which this regiment was a part — was ordered to the Peninsula. As Captain Beers was a skillful en- gineer he was detached for special duty immedi- ately upon the arrival of the regiment in Washing- ton, and the command of the company devolved upon First Lieutenant Ransom, who served with credit in this position during the terrible ordeal of the Peninsula campaign. At length, prostrated by the frightfully debilitating fever which proved so disastrous to thousands of the Union troops in the swamps of the Chickahominy, he was ordered home by the medical board of the brigade to which his regiment was attached, having struggled in vain against its insidious attacks. Refused a place in the Invalid Corps, to which he sought admission in the hope of remaining in the service, he returned to Elmira to die. His lot at this juncture was in- deed a trying one. He had celebrated the first New Year of his army life by marrying a young and beautiful Elmira girl of good family, and now, with- out either help or means, had to battle for existence. Nursed, sustained and cheered by the young life he had added to his own, he slowly recovered sufficient strength to resume the study of law, but his old friend Judge North having, in the meantime, died, he entered the office of Messrs. Diven, Hathaway ami Woods, the leading law firm of Southern New York, two of the members of which, Colonels Diven and Hathaway, had each raised a regiment and gone to the seat of war. Subsequently he entered the office of Judge Hiram Gray, late Judge of the Court of Appeals. In 1863 he was admitted to the bar. Health was poor and there was no law business to 3° CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. be had at that time, but Mr. Ransom struggled on, finding other employment and hoping almost against hope, for the dawn of an opportunity. At the close of 1865 he borrowed fifty dollars from a kind- hearted friend, Mr. Schuyler C. Reynolds, who also gave him permission to occupy a corner in his law office in Elniira. Two years later he was appointed Attorney and Counsel for the Corporation by the Common Council of the city of Elmira. and held the office two full terms. In the early part of 1870 he removed to the city of New York. This was per- haps, a bold venture, the more especially as he had no friends or acquaintances in the metropolis. Nevertheless, he felt that it was the place for a man of brains and energy to make his mark. By one of those peculiar accidents which befall almost every one, and though seeming so little lead to so much, he learned that Mr. Chester A. Arthur had recently lost his law partner and was anxious to secure the services of a young man as managing clerk. With- out delay Mr. Ramsou applied for the position, which was refused him, on the apparently valid ground that he, being a stranger in the city, and unacquainted with what Mr. Arthur styled the "unwritten law," was not the person desired. Something, possibly the soldier's tie, caused Gen. Arthur to reconsider the matter, and Mr. Ransom, was permitted to "try it" for a couple of weeks. Political life, for which Gen. Arthur, then in the srrength and vigor of manhood; developed a re- markable aptitude, drew him by degrees from his law practice, and Mr. Ransom found himself daily growing more firmly fixed in his position. As may be imagined he worked with a will and was happily successful, perfecting the details of the practice to the eminent satisfaction of Mr. Arthur and his clients, and of course taking part both in the trial and bringing of cases. His salary at this time was very meagre, and barely sufficed, by the most rigid economy, to obtain for him and his family the ordinary comforts of life. In the autumn of 1871 President Grant appointed General Arthur Collector of the Port of New York, and in January, in the following year, the latter, with two other prominent lawyers, P.enj. K. Phelps and Sherman W. Knevals, organized the firm of Arthur, Phelps and Knevals, Mr. Ransom being admitted as junior member. Mr. Phelps was elected District Attorney of New York in the autumn of 1872. In 1873 the firm took the style of Arthur, Phelps, Knevals and Ran- som, and on the death of Mr. Phelps in 1880 it was changed by dropping the name of the deceased member. Mr. Ransom, although a strong Demo- crat, always entertained a high regard for General Arthur who, as is well known, was an uncomprom- ising Republican. When the latter was placed with General Garfield at the head of the Republican ticket in the Presidential campaign of 1880, Mr. Ransom did all he could by personal effort to ensure his election. The circumstances of the case were somewhat extraordinary, and while a few zealots in his party blamed Mr. Ransom for his action, it was generally applauded. When General Arthur became President of the United States, he requested that Ins name be dropped from the firm, as he thought it was not in accord with the custom in this country for the Chief Magistrate to be engaged in or con- nected with private business. This was done, of course, and Mr. Arthur's connection with the firm, which then became Knevals and Ransom, ceased. In 1885, when President Arthur's term ended, he resumed his business relations with Messrs. Knevals and Ransom, but his name appeared as counsel to the firm, the style of which, otherwise, was not changed. In 1885 Mr. Ransom, who was known to be perfectly sound in his Democratic principles and who was esteemed one of the worthiest lawyers in the city for a judicial position, was nominated by the Tammany Hall Democracy for the office of Judge of the Superior Court. The Republicans nominated for the same office Judge John Sedgwick, to succeed himself, who was endorsed by the "Count}' Democracy" organization, making Mr. Ransom's canvass a forlorn hope, as these two organizations controlled about 120,000 votes out of a total vote of about 195,000 cast in the city for the judiciary ticket. Nevertheless, Mr. Ransom re- ceived a strong and nattering vote, running some ten thousand ahead of the strength of his ticket. Mr. Ransom lias always been a Democrat but never an active partisan politician : and, except in the Gar- field and Arthur campaign, has always voted the Democratic ticket, in war times being a " War Democrat." In 1887 he was again nominated for judicial office by the Tammany Hall organization, being placed on the judiciary ticket for the office of Surrogate of the City and Count}' of New York. The " County Democracy " endorsed the nomination and Mr. Ransom was elected by a plurality of nearly fifty thousand votes, receiving the largest number polled by any candidate on the State or county ticket. His opponents in this campaign were Hon. Isaac Dayton, the Republican candidate, and Hon. Gideon J. Tucker, the nominee of the Labor Party. At the bar Mr. Ransom has earned a high reputa- tion for the character and thoroughness of his work. He is patient, hard-working and persevering, and has hosts of friends among his colleagues and in both parties. Mr. Ransom was at one time con- nected for a brief period with the New York CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 31 National Guard, as Adjutant of the 110th Regiment, | commanded by Col. Stephen T. Arnot. He joined the Grand Army of the Republic in 1868, and is now 1 a comrade of Lafayette Post in the City of New York. For about ten years he has been a com- panion of the New York Commandery of the Mili- tary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He is also a member of the Masonic organization, of the New England Society, and of the Manhatten Club, all in the city of New York. His first wife was Sarah Elizabeth Morgan, daughter of William Lyman Morgan, Esq., of Elmira and granddaughter of Major Ludowick Morgan, killed in a skirmish before the works of Fort Erie, August 12, 1814. This lady died July 14, 1883, leaving two sons, Porte Virgil Ransom and Maxie Lyman Ransom, born, respectively, February 7, 1803, and February 24, 1864. Mr. Ransom married, secondly, January 14, 1885, a lovely young woman, Miss Carol Bowne Edwards of Brooklyn, whose father, the late Chas. Henry Edwards of the same city, was one of the original founders of, and for many years a Director in the New York Life Insurance Company. » DODGE, MAJOR GENERAL GRENVILLE MELLEN, a distinguished engineer, military commander, railroad projector and financier, and ex-Member of Congress, was born at Danvers, ! Essex County, Massachusetts, April 12, 1831. From the very interesting accounts of General Dodge's ancestry and life published in D. Hamilton Hurd's " History of Essex Count}', Massachusetts," (Phila- delphia, 1888) and of his military service published in S. H. M. Byers' ''Iowa in the War Times," (Des Moines, 1888) which, with Mr. N. E. Dawson's vo- luminous manuscript biographical notes, constitute the chief authorities for the facts in this sketch, it appears that his grandfather, Captain Solomon Dodge, of Rowley, Massachusetts, was descended from one of two brothers named Dodge, who emi- grated from England in the seventeenth century and settled in Essex County. His father, Sylvanus Dodge, born November 25, 1800, at Rowley, mar- ried, November 22, 1827, Miss Julia T. Phillips, born at New Rowley (now Georgetown) Massachu- setts, January 23, 1802. The first child of this mar- riage, named Grenville Mellen after the somewhat noted poet of that name, died in infancy, and the subject of this sketch, the second child, was given the name of his deceased brother. In 1843 Mr. Sylvanus Dodge was appointed postmaster of South Danvers, Massachusetts, and for a period of about teu years he discharged the duties of that office with honor to himself and to the perfect satisfaction of his fellow citizens, retaining the position undis- turbed during several changes of administration, and voluntarily resigning it to go to the West. In early life he was a Democrat. He was a warm friend of Robert Rantoul, Jr., N. P. Banks, and George S. Boutwell, and in time came to be actively interested in the organization of the Republican party ; acting with it and zealously supporting its principles and candidates until his death. Gren- ville was a busy boy during his earlier years. While availing himself of every opportunity to attend school, he employed a portion of his time advan- tageously in farming, occasionally serving as a clerk in the country store. During his leisure time he fitted himself for college, and in 1847 entered the Military University at Norwich, Vermont, and there completed the prescribed course of study. In 1851, being fully qualified as a civil engineer, he went West in search of fortune, settling first at Peru, Illinois, where he immediately engaged in profes- sional work. " He participated in the construction of the Chicago and Rock Island and Peoria and Bureau Valley Railroad, and in 1853 he was ap- pointed assistant engineer of the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad of Iowa, now the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific line. In the same year, having removed to Iowa City, he explored and examined the country west of the Missouri and became con- vinced that the great Pacific Railway would have its starting point where it now is, at Council Bluffs or Omaha on the Missouri River." At Council Bluffs, therefore, he decided to fix his permanent residence. In 1854 he paid a visit to the East, and at Salem, Massachusetts, on May 29, of that year, married Miss Annie Brown of Peru, Illinois. Going West again accompanied by his young wife, he set- tled in November at Council Bluffs, and has since maintained a residence at that place. His younger brother, Nathan P. Dodge, chose the same place for his future home, and in 1856 his father and mother also removed there. In the fall of 1854 Grenville made a claim and opened a farm on the Elkhorn River in the Territory of Nebraska, and in February, 1855, entered upon it. The Indians at this time vigor- ously resented the advance of the white settlers, and after struggling against them for six months Mr. Dodge concluded to give up the task, and returned to Council Bluffs. Following his example his brother Nathan and also his father took up sec- tions of land in Nebraska, but like him, they too were forced by the Indians to abandon their claims after holding them eighteen months. Mr. Sylvanus Dodge and his son Nathan were both active in the work of developing and organizing the Territory of 3 2 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Nebraska. The former was appointed Register of the United States Laud .Office in the district in which he resided. He died in 1872. aged seventy years. Upon his return to Council Bluffs. Grenville busied himself for several years with professional work and also engaged in a variety of other occupa- tions, including banking, mercantile business and the purchase and sale of real estate. In the affairs of the growing town he took an active and prominent part and became quite conspicuous as Captain of t lie Council Bluffs Guards, a company which he raised and for the command of which he was well fitted by natural qualifications no less than by his military training at the Norwich University. The opening of the Rebellion found him a prominent man of affairs at Council Bluffs and still in command of the Guards. When Sumter was fired upon there was no hesita- tion on his part as to which side he should espouse or what course pursue. Loyalty to his country was a plain duty and he yielded it willingly and promptly, volunteering with his little command for any ser- vice. Though declining for the time the proffered company, believing that its best place was where it was, in guard on the frontier, the Governor of Iowa gladly accepted Captain Dodge's personal services aud immediately appointed him an Aide on his staif with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In this capacity Colonel Dodge performed wonders visit- ing with great rapidity different parts of the Union, including the National capital, where he made the acquaintance of Secretary Cameron and in the face of great difficulties secured for his State six thousand stand of arms at an immense saving of money. He likewise visited New York, where he made favorable contracts for military supplies and also aided in the negotiation of an issue of State bonds. While in Washington he modestly declined to permit his name to be offered for a Brigadier-Generalship, and also refused a Captaincy in the regular army. Determined to secure his services, Secretary Cam- eron telegraphed to Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, that he would accept another regimeut from that State provided Dodge could have command. The Governor acceded aud Colonel Dodge on his return home speedih r organized the "Fourth Iowa" — of which his old command became '•Company B" — and also a battery which took his name and was attached to his regiment. With this double com- mand Col. Dodge entered the field in July, 1861, be- ginning operations before his men were mustered into the United States service, by a forced march to the relief of the southwest part of Iowa, then daily expecting the advance of a large body of rebels un- der General Pointdexter. The rapidity and boldness of his forward movement created a panic among the insurgents and they fled before him in all directions. Col. Dodge then returned to Council Bluffs, com- pleted the organization of his command, and was mustered into the service of the United States. In August he reported with his regimeut and battery to General Fremont at St. Louis. In the following October he was ordered to the frontier post at Rolla, Missouri, of which he was placed in command. Here a virulent outbreak of measles threatened to play sad havoc with his men, and in endeavoring to alleviate their sufferings his own health was seri- ously affected The faithful uursiug of his devoted wife who. with other ladies from Iowa, visited the camp at this crisis and performed heroic service, doubtless saved his life. On the occasion of his first taking the field Colonel Dodge exhibited a faculty for which he was afterwards greatly distinguished — that of collecting information about the enemy. Upon assuming command at Rolla, he displayed the same soldierly quality, and in the several expedi- tions which he led from that place against the enemy he was always successful. Iu December, 1861, he received his first wound — a painful but for- tunately not dangerous one iu the thigh. Assigned to the command of a brigade iu t lie Army of the Southwest, January 21, 1862, he commanded the advance in the movement on Springfield, Missouri, aud captured that city on February 13. Pursuing the enemy in their retreat southward he participated in the engagements at Cane and Sugar Creeks, and ou February 27 defeated Gates' command at Black- burn's Mills. Arkansas. In the battle of Pea Ridge, March 6. 7 aud 8, Col. Dodge was specially distin- guished not only for great personal bravery but for wisdom in council, readiness of resource and celerity of movement. On the first day of the fighting he was hotly engaged and lost nearly a third of his command. Part of the time his brigade held Price's entire force (twelve thousand men) in check. In this battle every field officer in his brigade was either killed or wounded. Col. Dodge himself was wounded in several places and had four horses shot under him, three being killed, one receiving twenty balls. For his gallantry and services in this battle Col. Dodge was made a Brigadier-General of Yoluu- teers, his being the first promotion accorded. Upon his recovery from his wounds — expedited by the faithful attentions of his devoted wife, — he reported for duty by telegraph. May 12. On June 11 he was assigned to the command of Columbus, Kentucky, and upon him devolved the responsible duty of superintending the rebuilding of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, which had been wholly destroyed by the Confederates in their retreat southward. This work he executed promptly and successfully. In a CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 33 sharp skirmish with the enemy about the middle of June he narrowly escaped death, but managed to capture the opposing force. Promoted to the com- mand of the Central Division of Mississippi, with headquarters at Trenton, Tennessee, he signalized the distinction by the capture of several towns and by the defeat of Villipigne on the Hatchie River, after which his command was enlarged and his headquarters were again established at Columbus. The capture of General Faulkner and his forces near Island No. 10 drew the attention of Grant — who had succeeded Halleck — to General Dodge and caused him to be assigned first to the command of the Fourth Division, District of West Tennessee, and later to that of the Second Division, Army of the Tennessee. Thus began a warm friendship which increased with years and was maintained unbroken until Grant's death. In the spring of 1863 General Dodge defeated the Confederate forces under Forrest and other conspicuous officers. He organized negro troops, fed loyal refugees, maintained a constant watch upon the movements of the enemy, and destroyed stores and supplies intended for the sup- port of Bragg's army, valued by the Confederate authorities at f 21, 000.000. In addition he built or destroyed railroads as required. His able services during the campaign of Vicksburg were honestly and fully appreciated by General Grant, who officially placed his name at the head of all his recommenda- tions for promotion for this great victory, and there- after invariably referred to him in terms of the warmest praise. While on his way to the relief of Rosecrans after the battle of Chickamauga, General Grant wrote instructions to Sherman, who was bringing forward the reinforcements he had ordered to Chattanooga, saying: " The division thus relieved bring forward under General Dodge. He is an able officer; one whom you can rely upon in an emer- gency." But badly as Grant wanted General Dodge ?t Chattanooga owing to his having few equals as a lighter, he needed him more to strengthen his trans- portation facilities, as he had no equals in railroad construction. Ordered to the work of rebuilding the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, General Dodge prosecuted it witli unparalleled rapidity, completing the entire line in six weeks, in the meantime sub- sisting his widely scattered command off the enemy's country, and capturing Decatur, Alabama, in a well- planned night attack, with all its garrison. General Dodge commanded the left wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps in the battle of Resaca and in all the great battles of Sherman's memorable Atlanta cam- paign. At the battle of Ruff's Mills he defeated an assault from the entire corps of General Hood. A signal feat of engineering about this time was his construction of a double track bridge, 1,700 feet long, across the Chattahoochee, at Roswell, Georgia. On June 4th 1804, General Dodge was commissioned a Major-General of Volunteers. He fought with great distinction and gallantry in several important engagements between that date and August 17 fol- lowing, when he was again dangerously wounded by a rebel sharpshooter while inspecting the enemy's works from the picket-line. During this period oc- curred the battle of Atlanta, regarding which the reports of both the Union and Confederate comman- ders are surprisingly meagre. In this battle, fought July 22, which was of major importance and — as described by a veteran of many fights — a most hotly contested one, General Dodge was specially distin- guished. He commanded one of the three divisions constituting the Army of the Tennessee, of which the gallant McPherson, who lost his life in this bat- tle, was the chief. The other two divisions were commanded by Logan and Blair. When Sherman's forces, consisting of this Army, of the Army of the Cumberland under Thomas, and of the Army of the Ohio under Schofield, moved into position in the advance on Atlanta, General Dodge's command was accidentally crowded out of its place in the line and was ordered by McPherson to make a detour to the rear and take position on the extreme left of the Union line. The night previous, about three-quar- ters of Hood's forces, including Hardee's Corps and all the Confederate cavalry (about forty thousand men, all told), quietly marched by the southeast out of Atlanta, leaving the remaining troops to occupy Sherman's attention, and by daylight had gained a position in the rear of the Union left flank. The object (as shown by Hood's orders) was to carry at all hazards the Union entrenchments on the left. In pressing forward to execute this design the Confed- erates quite unexpectedly encountered General Dodge's command, then on its way to the extreme left. It should be noted here that General Dodge had with him but about forty-five hundred men, two of his brigades being on detached duty distant from the field, a third employed in holding Decatur, and a battery having been left to strengthen Blair. This force having crossed the railroad from Decatur had halted in an open field to the south of it where it was rejoined by its commander, who had been in advance to select a position. While General Dodge at this point and McPherson (who had just left Sherman) Logan and Blair at another were occupied with luncheon, Hardee's skirmishers, coming out of the surrounding woods, opened on Dodge's men. These latter were veterans, disciplined and cour- ageous, and possessed implicit confidence in the bravery and judgment of their leader. In an instant 34 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. they were on the defensive; and notwithstanding the disadvantage of their position held it without wavering. General Dodge took in the situation as if by inspiration, and, detecting a momentary embar- rassment in the advancing foe, ordered a charge which routed the Confederates at this point and effectively checked their forward movement. MPherson reached the field just in time to witness Dodge's brilliant success and generously applauded it. He then rode off in the direction of Blair's cor p S — where the strife promised soon to begin. He met his death soon after, while riding unattended, bavins; dispatched his aides in various directions with orders. The roar of the attack upon Dodge's division first apprised the other Union commanders of the Confederate movement, but no one seems to have had a definite comprehension of it. Sherman, at a distance, naturally relied on his able aiid tried subordinates. As MePherson rode off in the direc- tion of the firing, Logan followed, but concluding from indications that a great bat lie is imminent in which his corps will be called upon to participate, he returns to it. Later, in response to an order from MePherson, a brigade of Logan's was rapidly moved up to Dodge's neighborhood, but arrived to find the position it was directed to take swept by the enemy's artillery. McPherson's death was soon afterwards discovered: and about an hour subse- quently, three o'clock, Logan took command of the Army of the Tennessee. But previously to this General Dodge had again defeated the attempt of the Confederates to rout or flank his division, had captured a number of prisoners — finding among them the papers of MePherson — and had also found and brought in the dead body of his unfortunate chief. The brigade of his corps at Decatur had like- wise successfully resisted the assault of Wheeler's (Confederate) cavalry at that point and materially assisted in defeating Hood's calculations. The Con- federate assault from the direction of Atlanta reached the whole front of the Army of the Tennes- see. At. one point the Union line was penetrated and guns, works, etc., were captured. In this emer- gency Logan borrowed a brigade from Dodge. The latter returned the one Logan had sent and then despatched another on the double-qiuck to assist in repairing the disaster. These pushed at once to the assault, and. assisted with alacritj by the Fifteenth Corps men, carried everything before them. The Confederal es pursued the conflict until night, when they reluctantly yielded the struggle, not having been able at any time during its continuance to strike the Union lines heavily and simultaneously from front and rear. There is little doubt that Dodge's timely and vigorous assault upon Hardee's Corps so completely broke it up that it took several hours to recover and thus failed to co-operate as effectively as it might have done, otherwise, with the movement from Atlanta. Upon this success of Dodge's hangs the defeat of Hood's plans. The wound received August 17 was in the head, and terminated General Dodge's connection with the Atlanta campaign. General Sherman had him con- veyed by special car to Nashville, where Mrs. Dodge met him and accompanied him to Greenville, In- diana, where he remained, tenderly nursed by her, until his recovery. General Dodge's army experi- ence included over forty battles and skirmishes, in three of which he had sustained severe wounds, and once was reported killed. It is not to be wondered at that during his travels North and East, following his recovery, he was everywhere tendered an ova- tion. Upon reporting again for duty General Sher- man assigned him to the command of a column de- signed to operate from Yicksburg upon Mobile from t lie rear, but before reaching this point he was as- signed to the command of the Department of Mis- souri, General Roseerans being relieved. This com- mand was given by the President at the instance of General Grant. General Dodge's promptness in denuding his department of troops to assist General Thomas at Nashville probably had much to do with the hitter's glorious victory. His work in the State of Missouri called for administrative ability of the highest order in addition to all the firmness and skill of a professional soldier. Not the least impor- tant of his services was the remarkably able manner in which he aided in .suppressing the Indian war then raging on the plains, winch, by the merging in his command of the Department of Kansas and the Territories, were placed under his jurisdiction. During the Yicksburg campaign General Dodge had been called to Washington by President Lincoln, who wished his advice partiexdarly witli reference to the selection of the initial point of the Pacific Railroad. At the close of the war the Union Pacific Railroad was already in process of construction. General Dodge had long entertained the dream of a trans-continental road, and he took the deepest in- terest in everything pertaining to the subject. When military operations were at an end he resigned from the army and engaged in civil pursuits. He had long been in correspondence with Durant, Reed, Dey, Dix and others, touching the great scheme of a Pacific railway, and he consented to accept the position of Chief Engineer. He took c harge of the actual work in 1866. His first survej-s in this regard had been made in 1853, and the line developed in his early reconnaissances was substan- tially that finally adopted, and has been generally CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 35 approved by experts after the most critical examina- tion. Besides the solution of these engineering problems lie was charged with securing right of way, the disposition of lands, and the company's interests generally west of the Missouri River. He foresaw the development of the Northwest and urged upon the company the importance of a branch to Montana and the through line to Portland, Oregon. Although he was not without critics and op- position, he possessed the unquestioning confidence of the company all through the work ; and when, on the 15th of May r , 1869, the last spike was driven he was in truth the most conspicuous engineer in the world and received hundreds of congratulations. In 1866 General Dodge was elected to the Thirty- ninth Congress from the Fifth District of Iowa. He was distinguished as a working member, and possessed great influence; but not finding politics to his taste, lie declined a re-election. His acquaint- ance and association with public men have been most extensive, and his friendships with some of the most notable characters in contemporaneous history have been and continue warm and enduring. To the esteem in which he was held by Lincoln and Grant, and is still held by Sherman, reference has already been made. His acquaintance with Sheridan began in '61, and ripened into a warm personal friend- ship. With General Rawlins he was very intimate, and on his death it was confidently expected by many that he would succeed him in President Grant's Cabinet. General Dodge at one time agreed to accept the position of Minister of Public Works for the Empire of China, his name having been pre- sented to Mr. Burlingame for that position by Presi- dent Grant, but the sudden death of Mr. Burlingame temporarily ended negotiations and later other en- gagements prevented subsequent offers being enter- tained. Since 1868 General Dodge has been a direc- tor in the Pacific Railroad Company. He resigned the position of Chief Engineer January 25, 1870. 1 rum 1872 until 1882 he was Chief Engineer of the California and Texas Railway Construction Com- pany, and has since then been closely identified with the leading railway interests of Texas. Since 1880 he has been President of the American Improve- ment Company, which built the New Orleans Pacific ; the International Railway' Improvement Company', which built extensions of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, and the International and Great Northern Railways; and the Texas and Colorado Railway Improvement Company, which built the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway. He has been President of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Com- pany, and is now President of the Pan Handle Con- struction Company, and of the Colorado and Texas Railway Construction Company. Brave, honest and upright, a hero in every sense of the word, and one of the most energetic business men of America, he is also a man of fine feeling, showing on occasion an almost womanly tenderness of heart, and being at all times generous and open-handed. He has travelled extensively abroad and has a mind well stored with the most interesting information and reminiscences. His great interests have identified him of late fully as much with New York as with Iowa, and he is as well known in the Metropolis as at Council Bluffs, where he maintains a palatial resi- dence, and where his venerable mother constantly resides. His family consists of his wife and three daughters. The eldest daughter is the wife of Mr. R. E. Montgomery, a lawyer of Fort Worth, Texas ; and the second is the wife of Mr. Frank Pusey, of Denver, Colorado. The third, unmarried, and still liv- ing with her parents, has displayed considerable literary talent, and is an occasional contributor to some of the magazines. LUDLOW, EDWARD HUNTER, a well-known and influential citizen of New York and one of the founders and first President of the New York Real Estate Exchange, was born in Greenwich Street, in the city of New York, August 6, 1810, and died at his residence, 21 East Twenty-fourth Street, in the same city, on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1884. The American family of which he was during his lifetime probably the most prom- inent member, has formed a substantial element of the wealthy and influential population of New York for nearly two centuries. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, in her charming History of the City of New York, asserts that the family was founded by Gabriel Ludlow of England, who married a daughter of the Rev. Joseph Haumer, D.D,, of the same kingdom, and came to America in 1694, settling in New York. In England the Ludlow family is an ancient and historic one, ranking with the oldest gentry of the kingdom. Among its distinguished members may be mentioned Sir Edmund Ludlow, the regicide, who appended his signature to the death-warrant of Charles I. Gabriel Ludlow was directly of this family, his great-grandfather, Sir Edmund Ludlow, Knight, being the grandfather of the regicide and the son of George Ludlow of Hill Deverall, Wilt- shire, England, whose wife was a direct descendant in the female line from Edward I. of England and his Queen, Margaret, daughter of Phillip III. of France. The American branch of the Ludlows has been a most prolific race, ten, twelve and even more 36 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. children in a single family not being uncommon. Gabriel, its founder, was tlie father of thirteen chil- dren, and his fourth child. Henry, who married Miss Mary Corbett, was the parent of a like number. Through intermarriage the Ludlows are connected with the Livingstons. Goelets. Gouverneurs, Mor- rises. Boserts. Duncans. Lewises. Harrisons, Dun- cans. Hunters and other distinguished Knicker- bocker families. The same spirited defence of the rights of the people as against the oppressions of kingcraft that signalized the life of their regicide ancestor in England, was manifested by the Lud- lows in America during the Revolution and the stirring period which preceded it. In the famous "Committee of One Hundred." formed in 1775 to help the patriot cause, were three Ludlows. two of them named Gabriel, one being the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The direct descent of Edward Hunter Ludlow from the founder of the family in America is as follows: Gabriel, sixth child of Gabriel the first of the name, married (first) Frances, daughter of George Duncan, and (second) Elizabeth Crommelin. His son Gabriel, one of a large family of children, married Ann, daughter of Julian Yerplanck. One of their children, Gabriel Yerplanck Ludlow, a lawyer by profession and at one time a Master in Chancery, married Elizabeth Hunter, the daughter of an old and respected resi- dent of New York, and was the father of the subject of this sketch. Edward Hunter Ludlow received a good education in his boyhood and youth and be- fore attaining manhood entered the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons of New York, then on Barclay Street, where, under the tuition of such eminent professors as Doctors David Hossack, Valentine Motl and Alex. II. Stephens, he completed the pre- scribed course of study and, in 1831, received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He practised for a time with excellent success at New Rochelle, but the profession became distastefid to him, and about 1834 he abandoned it and engaged in business, opening in 1830 a real estate office at No. 11 Broad Street. Later he removed his office to the corner of i Broad Street and Exchange Place. In 1845 he re- tired from business and left New York City to reside at the family homestead on the Hudson River. When, in consequence of the discovery of gold in California, thousands turned to this new El Dorado, Mr. Ludlow saw at once the great possibilities of business on the Pacific slope, and readily convinced himself that this fertile field was worthy of the best cultivation. He made his preparations to go there and came to New York to take passage in a famous clipper ship around the Horn. Friends in the city, seeing that he was willing to re-enter busi- ness, persuaded him to remain in the metropolis. In a short time he opened an office at "Wall and New Streets and became again engaged in the real estate business, of which he rose to be the head and front in the city of New York. Mr. Ludlow carried on business with Colonel Edward J. Mallet until 1850. when Mr. Morris Wilkins of New York, his former clerk and a warm personal friend, become asso- ciated with him as partner, the new firm retaining the style of E. H. Ludlow & Co., which is still maintained in honor of its sagacious and estimable founder. Mr. Ludlow was remarkable for his sound reasoning powers and excellent judgment, and no less so for his unfailing amiability and a politeness which was both dignified and winning. Scarcely anyone with whom he ever came in per- sonal contact failed to be affected by his respectful yet cordial demeanor. In social circles he was a prime favorite, and although he maintained through life a (piiet independence of character, he was re- spected and loved by all who knew him. In busi- ness circles few men have ever been more highly esteemed. He was in every sense of the word a gentleman, and conducted himself so honorably in all his affairs that he made no enemies. His charm- ing manners had doubtless no little to do with his marked success in life. The business entrusted to his firm was of great volume. Some of the trans- actions were among the most important which took place in the city during the last quarter of a cen- tury. Mr. Ludlow never held any public office. Although often importuned to permit his name to be used, he persistently declined to engage in poli- tics, largely owing to his refined nature, which made him shrink from any notoriety. He was one of the first in his business to realize the importance of establishing an Exchange : and for years had openly expressed his opinion as to its necessity. From the inception of the project he gave it his heartiest support and most careful attention. At the meeting in the editorial rooms of the Real Estate Record and Guide, held September 12. 1883, at which the Real Estate Exchange was primarily organized, he was the central figure. An eye-witness describing the scene says, "As he en- tered the room all the brokers respectfully made way for him," He was unquestionably the princi- pal figure of the occasion and he was unanimously voted to the chair. In all the subsequent proceed- ings leading to the founding of the Exchange he took an active and conspicuous part ; was Chairman of the Commission appointed by the Secretary of State to receive subscriptions to the capital stock, was himself the first to subscribe to the stock, and upon the permanent organization of the Exchange CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 37 in November, 1883, with a capital of half a million dollars, lie was unanimously elected its President. Although advanced in years and in failing health he was a regular attendant at all the meetings of the Board of Directors. He lent his aid to the for- mation of the constitution and by-laws, saw the Exchange incorporated under the laws of the State of New York and, as Chairman of the Building- Committee, was instrumental in rinding and obtain- ing the present buildings and site. He continued to devote himself to his private business and to the affairs of the Exchange down to within a few days of his death, notwithstanding that for several weeks he seems to have had a presentiment of his .ap- proaching end. Speaking of him to the representa- tive of a New York newspaper. Mr. George H. Scott, then Secretary of the Exchange, said: "For a full generation he has been the principal figure on the Street, and his name has been synonymous with honesty of character and straightforward dealing. He was one of the greatest pillars of the Exchange. Despite his age he faithfully attended to his duties as President. He took an active personal interest in the building operations and was very impatient at the delay. The Exchange was almost a hobby with him." Mr. Ludlow was noted for his strong attachment to the city of New York, from which he was rarely absent more than a day at a time. Even in summer he was about, as usual, and de- clared that he felt more comfortable in his city home than anywhere else. His recollections of the city dated back to the time when it had but 80,000 inhabitants. He remembered the last visitation of yellow fever, when the infected district was barri- caded ; and he was a man in years when the cholera first appeared in 1832. His reminiscences of those early days were extremely entertaining. Mr. Lud- low was a man of great kindness of heart. His sympathies extended beyond humanity, reaching even to the humblest members of the animal king- dom. Of dogs he was very fond, and also of birds. It was a favorite pastime of his on pleasant mornings to walk in the public square near his res- idence, accompanied by his dog, and feed the spar- rows. It was at his suggestion and partly at his expense that the houses for sparrows were put up in Madison Square. His charities were very nu- merous, always unostentatious, and were dispensed without regard to race or creed. Nor did he wait to be asked to do a kind deed. He seemed instinct- ively to desire to be helpful and useful, particularly to the sick and unfortunate. In conversation with a prominent business man who was visiting him one day at his house, on the walls of which hung a fine painting of St. Francis, he said: "Do you know I have often thought I would like to give that picture- to some institution where the people who looked at it would be more benefited by its beauty than if it remained here." The visitor suggested that he donate it to St. Francis Hopital. Mr. Ludlow re- ceived the suggestion with evident pleasure and at once complied with it. Mr. Ludlow's death was due to a general breaking up of the system conse- quent upon old age. His activity — both mental and physical — continued to the last, as he had always desired, and his end was peaceful. At his death the flags over the offices of the Real Estate Ex- change and adjacent buildings were placed at half mast, and at a special meeting of the Board of Di- rectors, convened for the purpose, appropriate resolutions of respect and of sympathy and condo- lence with the family and friends of the deceased were adopted and entered in the minutes. Having spent his whole life in the city of New York, and having been so actively and prominently identified with its largest and most important interests, Mr. Ludlow was widely known. His loss was severely Tiiourned alike by the social and business commu- nities, in both of which he had been so long a strik- ing, a central and an agreeable personality. The funeral services at Zion Church were largely at- tended and among the pall-bearers were representa- tives of the principal families of the city. Mr. Lud- low married early in life Miss Elizabeth Livingston, of Livingston Manor, a daughter of the Hon. Edward P. Livingston — at one time Lieutenant-Governor of the State of New York— and a granddaughter of Phillip Livingston, one of the signers of t lie Decla- ration of Independence. This estimable lady, whose name for many years has been identified with a number of the most deserving charities of the metropolis, survives her husband. Mr. Ludlow also leaves two children, a married son, Mr. Ed- ward Livingsto Ludlow, and a dauughter, the latter the widow of the late Valentine G. Hall. Jr., of New York. CAMMANN, HERMANN HENRY, a prominent citizen of New York and one of the founders and for three years President of the New York Real Estate Exchange, was born in the city of New York, January 30, 1845. His parents were the late Dr. George P. and Catharine A. Cammann, both natives of the same city. Dr. Cammann was, in his day, one of the leading physicians of the metropolis. His wife was a daughter of the late Jacob Lorrillard of New York. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood tinder the parental roof, and was edu- 33 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. cated at the excellent classical school of Mr. George C. Anthon, one of the most noted of that time. In 1864 he began his business career as a clerk in Wall "Street and afterward as a clerk in the Bank of America in Wall Street. A year or two later he en- gagecl in real estate operations, and, finding the business to his liking, he has continued in it ever since, his specialty at present and for many years back being the management of estates. His busi- ness has always been a prosperous one. and of late years has been so extensive as to call for the aid of a partner, whom Mr. Cammann found in his friend and colleague, Mr. Newbold T. Lawrence, who became a member of the firm of II. II. Cammann & Co. Mr. Cammann was one of the earliest real estate men to see the necessity for founding an Exchange for realty in the city of New York, and was most active in promoting the scheme from the moment of its inception, attending the first meeting of the leading realty operators, held for the purpose, September 12, 1883, and lending efficient aid in for- mulating the plan which, through the efforts of himself and several experienced and practical col- leagues, was speedily put into operation and re. suited, on the 13th of November following, in the fil- ing with the Secretary of State, at Albany, of the certificate of incorporation of the Beal Estate Ex- change and Auction Boom (Limited) with a capital of $500,000. In the work of organizing and build- ing up the Exchange Mr. Cammann labored with untiring zeal and with a conscientious fidelity to the interest of all concerned, serving on the chief committees and to a large extent practically direct- ing the work. He was one of the first subscribers to the stock, and at the initial election was chosen a member of the Board of Directors and also the First Vice-President, his esteemed friend and senior in the board, the late Mr. E. H. Ludlow, becoming President. Upon the death of Mr. Ludlow in the fall of 1884 Mr. Cammann became the chief execu- tive officer of the Exchange, and at the first election held thereafter was chosen President. His popu- larity and eminent fitness for the position were un- questioned, and with the cordial co-operation of his associates on the building committee, and during his first term and under his watchful supervision, the realty Exchange became a reality. The Ex- change occupies premises 55 to 59 Liberty Street, corner of Liberty Place, and cost, together with the site, etc., over half a million dollars. The original structure- being in part the Marquand building- was altered and enlarged for its present purpose. The hall of the Exchange is eighty-seven feet long, forty-three feet wide and thirty-three feet high. The iron girders used in its construction are the most massive ever employed for any purpose in the United States, the largest weighing twenty-two tons. The decorative features of the hall are unique, striking and artistic in the highest degree. Every modern improvement that could facilitate or simplify the conduct of business has been called into service. The work was successfully completed without accident , and the Exchange- recognized by the courts, which, by authoritative action trans- ferred to it the judicial sales on and after April 16, 1885 — was formerly opened Tuesday, April 14, 1885, Mr. Cammann, then serving his first term as Presi- dent, being in the chair. The occasion was a nota- ble one in the history of New York, and brought together a thoroughly representative body of citi- zens — the owners and controllers of property aggre- gating in value hundreds of millions of dollars. Mr. Cammann was twice re-elected to the Presi- dency. At the close of four consecutive years of active service in founding and developing the Ex- change, the three last as President, and having placed-it "in perfect working order, clear from all difficulty and in full current toward sound and per- manent success," he laid down the gavel to resume the management of his private business. He is still a Director of the Exchange and an active member of one or two of its principal committees. No member of it has its interests more sincerely at heart, and it is not too much to say that none has more wisely or ably furthered them up to the present time. That the realty interests of the city of New York, valued at upwards of two thousand millions of dollars, are properly served and guarded at this day, is due to a very large extent to his executive ability, which carried the project of the Beal Estate Exchange through the earlier and more trying pe- riod of its existence to a brilliant and permanent success. The institution, now firmly fixed on a legal, lasting and satisfactory basis, may be justly consid- ered the crowning achievement of the earlier man- hood of Mr. Cammann. To his business duties Mr. Cammann adds many others in the interests of society at large and religion. He is energetic and efficient in whatever sphere of usefulness he ma}- be called, and labors always with beneficent results as the end in view. He is a vestryman of Trinity Church, a Governor of the New York Hospital, Treas- urer of the Home for Old Men and Aged Couples, Trustee of the House of Mercy, President of the Society for Improving Workingmen's Homes, and Treasurer of the Endowment Fund of St. Mary's Free Hospital for Children. He married, in 1873, Miss Ella C. Crary, daughter of Mr. Crary, an old merchant of New Y'ork, and granddaughter of Robert Fulton. He has three children, all boys. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 39 CRUIKSHANK, EDWIN ALLEN, head of the oldest real estate firm in the city of New York, and now (1889) serving a second term as Presi- dent of the New York Real Estate Exchange, of which he was one of the founders, was horn in New York City, August 11, 1843. His grandfather, William Cruikshank, the first of the name to settle in America, came of an old and highly respected Scottish family and in his early days was a miller and shipwright at Boynsville, Aherdeen, Scotland. He came to America shortly after becoming of age, and arrived in New York in the latter part of the last century. He married shortly afterwards Miss Sarali Allen ( a daughter of William and Sarah Allen) who was born at the corner of Wall and Pearl Streets, where the Commercial Bank now stands, by whom he was the father of seven children, five sons and two daughters. After marriage he settled in New York City, where he acquired, among other property, the house at the corner of Morris Street— formerly Beaver Lane— and Greenwich Street, which was then so near the water-line that the bowsprits of vessels, lying "nose on shore" in that locality, came far up over the back garden. William Cruikshank, who was engaged in building to some extent, was also a merchant, keeping what was then called a '• general grocery store," and had contracts with the National Government for drug supplies. He was a most active business man, noted for his sterling in- tegrity, and greatly esteemed by his neighbors, many of whom commissioned him to attend to their real estate transactions, collections, etc.. while he was busy with his own. These commissions he managed with rare fidelity and judgment; their number steadily increased, and in 1794 attention to them constituted a special department of his busi- ness. His son James was finally drawn into this business, and \ipon his father's death devoted his whole time to it. James Cruikshank, the eldest son of William, was born in the house at Morris and Greenwich Streets, January 1, 1804. During the War of 1812, although at the time but nine years of age, he, with his father, joined his older country- men in repelling British invasion, and assisted in throwing up fortifications on Long Island. He was afterwards for a number of years connected with the State Militia, and held the office of Assessor and School Trustee of the First Ward. He married Miss Mary Ann Wheeler, a daughter of Mr. John Wheeler, of England, by whom he was the father of eight children, six sons and two daughters. Of late years he has resided in the village of Hempstead, Long Island. Notwithstanding his eighty-five years he is still in the possession of good health and a wonder- ful degree of vigor, and is a welcome visitor in the busy haunts of the metropolis, where his acquaint- ance is most extensive, particularly among the older and wealthier citizens. His eldest son, Mr. E. A. Cruikshank, the subject of this sketch, early evinced an aptitude for business, and at the age of thirteen years was admitted to his father's office in the capacity of "boy." He was full of life and ambi- tion and at an age when most lads woidd have shirked work as a sad task, he was revelling in it and paving the way for future success, fortune and honors. The opening of the War of the Rebellion found him still a mere lad of seventeen, and, because of his slender build, looking even younger. But what he lacked in weight he more than made up in patriotism, and after repeated attacks on the parental stronghold finally wrung from his father and mother their assent to his enlistment in the ranks of the volunteers. On the 26th day of May, 1862, he was enrolled as a member of Company "CY'of the Thir- teenth Regiment, Colonel Black, and made the cam- paign of that season with this command. His love for military exercises prompted him to continue his connection with the State Militia after the war closed, and enlisting as a private in the Eighty-ninth Regiment, he rose by close attention to duty, through the different grades of corporal, sergeant, and or- derly sergeant to the rank of Lieutenant, receiving his commission as such from Governor R. E. Fen- ton, in 1865. Following the custom observed in his youth by the best young men of the day, he joined the volunteer firemen and served his full term. In 1865, when his father retired from active business, he was succeeded by the firm composed of himself, his uncle, Mr. Augustus Cruikshank, and his cousin, Mr. William Cruikshank. In 1875 the two other partners withdrew and Mr. E. A. Cruikshank took his younger brother, Mr. Augustus W r . Cruikshank, into the firm, which was reorganized as E. A. Cruikshank & Co. In 1886 his younger brother, Mr. Warren Cruikshank, was admitted to the firm, the style of which remained unchanged. The original offices of this long established firm were in the store of Mr. William Cruikshank, in the old house at the corner of Beaver Lane, now Morris, and Greenwich Streets. James transacted business first at that place, then at 48 Greenwich Street, whence he removed to 35 Broadway, thence to the old Cruger mansion, at No. 55 Broadway, corner of "Tin-Pot Alley." From there removal was made to No. 68 Broadway, where the offices remained for ten years or more. In 1881 the firm removed to No. 163 Broadway, where it remained until 1884, when it removed to its present central and commodious apartments at No. 176 Broadway. The books of the house of Cruikshank & Co. run back to the begin- 40 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ing of the century, and some of them, fully three- quarters of a century old. are marvels of careful book-keeping, elegant penmanship and neatness of arrangement. The firm's collection of maps, of every kind and description, is unusually large and extremely valuable. Records of sales of every piece of property disposed of at auction in the city of New York are here to be found, dating back to the very beginning of the system of records. On the books of the firm every ward in the city is represented and every class of property. Some of the largest property owners in the city and vicinity place their entire estates in the hands of the Cruik- shanks, while they themselves go abroad to enjoy European life and travel for years at a time. There is a considerable line of selling done by the firm, but its main business is in renting and collecting. It holds power of attorney from many of the heavi- est owners of realty in the city. .Mr. E. A. Cruik- shauk, personally, has the reputation among his business colleagues, of being the best renting judge in thee ity. He is also noted as the greatest expert and authority on wharf and bulkhead property. For years the firm has done an extensive business in building and leasing piers, a line in which it has few competitors. During his business career Mr. Cruik- shank has been Commissioner in some of the most important real-estate transactions occurring in the city, including the partition of some of the largest estates. Both he and his brothers Augustus and Warren are among the most respected members of the real estate fraternity in New York. They have consistently maintained the conservative policy that has always characterized the firm since its institu- tion, and have carefully refrained from speculation in any form or manner. Their rare personal knowledge of the city adds greatly to the value of their advice to their clients. A special branch of their business is the superintendence of properties owned by non-residents, and their connections in- clude patrons not only in New York but in the Eastern, Southern and Western States and in Eng- land, France, and Italy. Some of the estates that they are managing to-day were placed in the hands of their grandfather by their owners, many, many years ago. In financial circles also the firm is widely known and is noted for its success in the negotia- tion of loans on bond and mortgage. Their exten- sive acquaintance among investors and capitalists has enabled them to carry to a successful issue some of the most important real estate transactions on record. As the head of a firm now nearly a cen- tury old, of unassailable reputation, and conspicu- ously identified witli the sale or management of some of the greatest estates of the city, Mr. Cruik- shank ranks easily witli the leading members in his chosen walk. In the movement to found the New York Real Estate Exchange, inaugurated in 1883, by the late E. H. Ludlow, Morris Wilkins, H. H. Cammann, Richard Y.Harnett, and other gentlemen engaged in the real estate business, and co-operated in by the Astors, Rhinelanders and other wealthy real estate owners, Mr. Cruikshank took an active and leading part. He was one of the original sub- scribers to the stock of the Exchange, one of its in- corporators, and has always been a member of its directory. He was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, and in 1885 and 188(i he held the office of Treasurer of the Exchange. At the annual elec- tion held in December of the year last given, he was chosen to the office of Second Vice-President. When Mr. Morris Wilkins, also one of the founders of the Exchange, resigned the office of First Vice- President, Mr. Cruikshank was elected to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, December 1!), 1887, he was elected to the Presidency of the Exchange. In the discharge of his duties the new President displayed a thorough knowledge of the needs of the Exchange and a broadness of purpose which strongly com- mended him to his colleagues. At the close of the year he was re-elected a Director by a very heavy vote, and at the first meeting of the new Board, held the day following. December 14, was re-elected to the Presidency of the Exchange. Mr. Cruikshank is a man of striking personal appearance. No one could fail to detect in him the alert man of affairs. Slender and wiry, his physical make-up betokens a highly nervous organization. In the words of a keen observer of men, "he has a quick, sharp fashion of transacting business. He manages to in- stil his own buoyant feeling into any one with whom he may come in contact, yet he has a very emphatic way of calling a halt, either upon an investor who would make a rash purchase or an owner who would insist upon excessive terms from a tenant." Outside of purely business transactions he is a courteous, genial gentleman, whose knowledge of men and af- fairs, gleaned during a life-time devoted to active business, has been broadened by foreign travel and observation, by extensive reading, and by excep- tionally pleasant relations with many of the most cultured, wealthy and prominent men of the day, a large number of whom are his warm personal friends. He is an enthusiastic sportsman, equally at home with the rod and the rifle, and for many years has made a habit of spending a portion at least of every summer and fall in the North Woods, from which he has brought a number of remarkable trophies including the skin of at least one bear, CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 41 shot by his own trusty rifle, and the antlers of sev- eral magnificent deer. As a fisherman he has rare patience and skill, and has landed some of the largest trout ever taken in the Adirondack wilderness. He was a member of the General Committee of Citizens of New York having in charge the recent Centennial celebration of the inauguration of Washington as President of the United States. Mr. Cruikshank is frequently called upon to accept directorships in business, financial and other corporations, but with few exceptions has invariably declined, owing to the incessant demands of his own business and latterly of the affairs of the Real Estate Exchange. Since its organization he has been a member of the New- York Board of Trade and Transportation and has served with ability on several of its committees. He is also a member of Lafayette Post. No. 140, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the General Commit- tee of the Word's Fair which, it is expected, will be held in New York in 1892. Mr. Cruikshank married in 1866, Miss Susie Hinehman, daughter of Benjamin Hinehman, Esq., an old and respected resident of Long Island. Hehas one child, a daughter, Miss Susie Cruikshank. His home is in Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, and both he and his accomplished wife and daughter are well known in the social and re- ligious life of that city. Mr. Cruikshank was form- erly a member of Plymouth Church (Rev. Henry Ward Beecher's) but of late years has been con- nected with the Hanson Place Methodist Episcopal ( ihurch. PUTNAM, HON. JOHN RISLEY, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and for many years previous to his elevation to the bench, a prominent member of the Saratoga County bar, was born at the family homestead, " Putnam Place," Saratoga Springs, New York, March 25, 1830. The Putnam family is in all re- spects a representative one. Its founder, John Put- nam, came from England in 1634 and settled in Dan- vers, Massachusetts, whence the descendants of his three sons, Thomas, Nathan and John, have emi- grated to all parts of the country. From Thomas, the eldest son, descended a long line of prominent persons, including General Israel Putnam, the Rev- outionary hero, and Gideon Putnam (cousin of the latter) "the man of strong nerve, comprehensive powers of invention, and indomitable will, who was the virtual creator and originator of the beautiful village of Saratoga Springs." The latter, who was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the son of Rufus and Mary Putnam. Born at Sut- ton, Massachusetts, in 1764, he married in early manhood, Miss Doanda Risley, daughter of Squire Benjamin Risley, "a gentleman of influence and means," at Hartford, Connecticut. After spending several years in prospecting in various parts of New England, he crossed into New York State, and, in 1789, choosing Saratoga Springs as a place of abode, built a habitation there on Prospect Hill, and settled down permanently as a farmer and manufacturer of lumber. In 1791, having accumu- lated considerable means, he purchased three hun- dred acres of land at Saratoga Springs, from Dirck Lefferts, who was one of the original purchasers of the Kayadrossera patent. Subsequently he added largely to his real estate and began the erection of buildings thereon, his prophetic vision clearly dis- cerning the future growth of the place consequent upon its unrivalled wealth in medicinal springs and admirable situation as a health resort. He was active in the work of developing these springs, and in 1809 discovered and tubed the now celebrated Congress Spring. In 1811, haviDg completetd Union Hall, he began the erection of Congress Hall, and was engaged in this work when he met with an ac- cident which unfortunately led to his death, Decem- ber 1, 1812. Gideon Putnam was in every sense of the word a remarkable man, and although he closed his labors at the early age of forty-nine, he had already accomplished a great work. The impetus he gave to the village was lasting, and his liberal public gifts of lands for religious and educational purposes were productive of great good to the com- munity. His wife, who died February 10, 1835, was a woman of rare personal excellence. Her fa- ther, Benjamin Risley, who settled at the Springs about the same time that she and her husband did, was a prominent factor in the development of the place, employing his large wealth freely to this end. " The second child of Gideon and Mary Putnam was Benjamin Risley Putnam, born at Rutland, Ver- mont, while his parents were temporarily residents there. He inherited large wealth and, like his able and far-seeing father, has used it liberally in pro- moting the development of Saratoga and in philan- thropic, educational and religious work. His wife, born Eunice Morgan, was the daughter of Daniel Morgan of Saratoga. John Risley Putnam, the sub- ject of this sketch, is the youngest son of his par- ents. He was carefully educated in the academic schools of his native place, and, having elected to adopt the profession of law, prosecuted his legal studies in the offices of Judges Charles S. Lester, John C. Hurlbert and John Willard. Admitted to the bar in 1852, he at once devoted his attention as- 42 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. siduously to his profession and speedily acquired an honorable position among his colleagues, rising in time to distinguised prominence both as a lawyer and citizen. In the fall of 1887 he was named on the Republican ticket for the office of Justice of the Supreme Court, to succeed Justice Augustus Bockes, and was also placed on the Democratic ticket and elected without opposition. His term of office began January 1st, 1888, and will expire De- cember 31, 1900. Saratoga Springs has been the residence of several jurists occupying seats in the highest courts of the State, among them Judge Reu- ben H. Walworth, afterward Chancellor; Esek Cowen, Circuit Judge and Judge of the Supreme Court : John Willard, Circuit Judge and first Justice of t lie Supreme Court under the Constitution of 1840; and Augustus Bockes, Justice of the Supreme Court from 1850 to January 1st, 1888. As a lawyer of un- questioned ability and a citizen of spotless integrity Justice Putnam worthily continues the succession. He has arrived at his present dignified position through no political turbulence, and in the discharge of its important duties is trammeled by no un- worthy pledges or corrupt alliances. Although his life has been an uneventful one compared with that of some who have risen to equal prominence, it has not been uninteresting or devoid of incident. In all that goes to make up good and honorable citizen- ship it lias been especially fruitful ; and in its sim- plicity and purity carries no ineffective lesson. Rich in the esteem of his fellow citizens and placed by fortune beyond the ordinary necessities of labor, Justice Putnam is in a singularly favorable position for discharging his high public functions, and his time is given wholly and with devotion to his judi- cial duties. He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary S. Shoemaker, daughter of the late R. M. Shoe- maker, of Ohio, an extensive builder and operator of railroads. He now resides at the family home- stead with his wife and three sons. T REMAIN, GENERAL HENRY EDWIN, a prom- inent member of the New York bar, late First Assistant United States District Attorney for New York, and widely known in military and politi- cal circles, was born in New York City November 14, 1840. He was educated at the College of the City of New York, and graduated therefrom with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1800. The open- ing of the Civil War found him a student in the Co- lumbia College Law School, but he abandoned his studies to enter the service of his country, enlisting as a private in the New York Seventh Regiment, on April 17, 1801. Upon his return to New York at the expiration of the first three months' campaign, he recruited a company for the Second Regiment of Fin- Zouaves (the Seventy-third New York Volun- teers), being assisted in the work by his younger brother. Lieutenant Walter R. Tremain, who after- wards died in the service. Of this company he was commissioned First Lieutenant. In the field he was advanced to the post of Adjutant of the regiment, which was attached to the famous Excelsior Bri- gade. " At the siege of Yorktown he was promoted to the staff of General Nelson Taylor, commanding: the Excelsior Brigade, in which capacity he served during the Peninsular campaign under McClellan and the final operations of Pope, his brigade being attached to Hooker's glorious Second Division, the 'White Diamonds' of Jleintzelman's Corps." His able services in the battle of Williamsburg called forth an official compliment from General Taylor. General Sickles in his report of the battle of Fair Oaks thus speaks of him : " My particular acknowl- edgments are due to Lieutenant H. E. Tremain, A.D.C. and A. A. Gen., upon whom I relied for nearly all the staff duty in the field during the day. His arduous duties were performed with courage, zeal and ability." The same commander, in his report of the battle of Malvern Hill, also says : " Lieutenant Tremain, the only officer of my staff able to report for duty, was, as usual, distinguished for zeal and gallantry." At the second battle of Manassas " he was taken prisoner while endeavoring to check the panic and the rapid advance of the enemy." Upon his exchange, several months later, he resumed the field on the staff of General Sickles, w ith whom he served at the battle of Fredericksburg and until the reorganization of the army, in the meantime being promoted to the rank of Captain. In 1863 (April 25) he was commissioned Major and Aide-de-Camp, on the staff of the General commanding the Third Army- Corps. For his brilliant services in the battle of Chancellorsville he was specially commended for a brevet. Upon learning of General Lee's second inva- sion of Maryland, Major Tremain, — then in New York — telegraphed to General Hooker an offer of his services in any capacity until General Sickles should again take the field. Hooker in reply telegraphed thanks and orders to join him at headquarters. Major Tremain served with Hooker until the latter was relieved by Meade. In a communication to Governor Fentou of New York, Hooker said of his young staff officer: "He served in my command during the whole time that I was connected with the Army of the Potomac in a capacity which brought him within my immediate notice. I have always regarded him as an officer of uncommon CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 45 promise: he is capable, energetic and devoted in •the discharge of liis duties, brave in battle and of unexceptionable moral charac ter." Major Tremain was Chief of Staff of the Third Corps at the battle of Gettysburg and as such played an important part in that decisive conflict. Sent, in 1864, by President Lincoln's orders, on special service in the West with General Sickles, he visited every army in the held. While with Sherman's army at Chat- tanooga he volunteered on the staff of Major- General Buttertield. commanding Twentieth Arniy Corps, and participated in the operations before Dalton, and in the engagements at Buzzard's Roost and Resaca, being one of two staff officers selected to accompany and direct the storming column in the last named tight. In 1864, finding himself again in the East, awaiting orders, he wrote to Sec- retary Stanton asking to be returned to active duty. This led to his being assigned to the Army of the Potomac under General Meade, and with the Cav- alry Corps of this army he served in the operations about Petersburg, on the staff of General Gregg, and his successor. General Crook, and participated in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Amelia Court House. Sailor's ( reek, Farmville and Appomattox Court House. He also served a short time on General Mott's staff. Second Division, Third Corps. At the close of this arduous campaign, Major Tremain was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel "for gallant and meritorious services,'''' by special recommendation of General Sheridan. Shortly afterward he was brevetted Colonel. In 1865, as the armies dispersed, Colonel Tremain was ordered on reconstruction duty at Wilmington, North Carolina, on the staff of General Crook. In the fall of that year he asked to be mus- tered out of service, but instead of a discharge he was ordered to duty at the headquarters of the De- partment of South Carolina, and at the same time wa- brevetted Brigadier-General for "faithful and meritorious service during the war." In April, 1866, after five years continuous service, he resigned his commission, and returned to his home in New York. While in that city in 1864 he passed the usual examinations and was admitted to the bar, but this did not prevent his taking the full course of study at the Columbia College Law School, from which he was duly graduated in 1867. In 1868 he organized, with Colonel Mason W. Tyler, — a young officer from Massachusetts, and then a recent grad- uate from Mr. Evarts' law office — the present well- known firm of Tremain and Tyler. About a year later he was nominated by the Republicans for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and had the honor of leading the county ticket, although his party was defeated. In 1870 he was employed by the United States Marshal "as special counsel to aid in the prosecution of cases for infringement of the census law and in enforcing the United States election laws, then for the first time applied and tested." Since then he has often been employed by the Government in important cases. During the entire second term of President Grant he was First Assistant United States District Attorney at New York, and discharged the duties of the position with signal ability. General Tremain has always been interested in politics, and on the Republican side has taken an active part in every Presidential cam- paign since the war. A man of high character and pure ambitions, he instinctively prefers the part of instructor and leader to that of office-holder, and in the former capacities has been most active and public-spirited in discussing education, monopoly and reform, and has delivered many admirable ad- dresses on these subjects. His worth and ability are thoroughly appreciated by his party. In the Senatorial contest in 1881 he received, at different times during the balloting, the votes of about twenty members of the New York Legislature for the office of United States Senator, and was third on the list when the contest closed. In 1871 General Tremain was elected President of the Alumni Association of the College of the City of New York, and was an- nually re-elected, serving altogether five terms. General Tremain's long and varied staff service iu the army-gave him a wide acquaintance with mili- tary men, and to this day he is a prime favorite among the veterans of the war of all grades. He was one of the earliest members of the Grand Army of the Republic, founded at Pittsburg, Pa., and in the same year aided in organizing the first Post of the Order established in New York, viz: Phil Kearney Post, with which he is still affiliated. He was also one of the organizers of the Third Army Corps Union, and in 1879 was elected its President. He is likewise a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, i and of the Veterans of the Seventh Regiment, N.G. S.N.Y. Of the last named organization he was chosen Colonel in 1888, and re-elected in the follow- ing year. On the 24th of March, 1888, his command acted as guard of honor to the remains of the South American patriot, General Paez, then trans- ferred from New York to Venezuela, with high mil- itary honors. On this occasion General Tremain acted as Chief of Staff to General Sickles, who com- manded the column of escort, which was composed of a large contingent of United States troops in ad- dition to the corps named. More recently his com- mand officiated prominently in the escort to the 44 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. President of the United States on his arrival in New- York to participate in the Centennial of Washing- ton's Inauguration. General Tremain began writ- ing for publication during the war, when lie was often a correspondent of the New York Evening Post. While stationed at Wilmington, in 1865, he wrote editorially for the Wilmington Herald. He has also been employed editorially in professional publications. He is the author of numerous ad- dresses and pamphlets, a number of which have had a wide circulation. Among them may be men- tioned an address on " Lawyers and the Adminis- tration of Justice," delivered before the alumni of the Columbia College Law School, in 180!): a pam- phlet entitled " In Memoriam : Major-General Jos- eph Hooker" (Cincinnati. 1881) : and a paper entitled Ethics of the Tariff," read before the Church Cimgress at New Haven, Connecticut, October 21, 1885. From time to time trenchant articles from his pen are hurled at existing abuses: and from the rostrum he frequently rebukes with logic, vigor and dignity "the fallacies of free-trade" and the greedi- ness of corporations and monopolies. General Tre- main was one of the founders of the Constitution Club in New York City, and its first President, holding office in 1883. His public utterances are easy, forceful and eloquent, and in them he is scrupulously cautious not to misrepresent the law or the facts in the case. During his experience at the bar he has probably conducted the trial of more civic causes than any man in his profession who is not Ids senior in years. A case of major import- ance somewhat recently entrusted to Messrs. Tre- main and Tyler was the celebrated Marie-Garrison case, in which they appeared for the plaintiff. the late Roscoe Conkling being retained as senior counsel. For one who has been so active and prominent in the field and on the forum. General Tremain is a remarkably young looking man. In 1869 he married Miss Sarah Brownson Goodrich, daughter of Mr. Luther A. Goodrich — one of the pioneer set- tlers of California and long a resident of Sacra- mento—and niece of (lie late Orestes A. Bronson, LL.D., the distinguished American author. DARLING, GENERAL CHARLES W., was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His family is of New England origin, having intermarried with the families of Pierpont, Noyes, Chauncey, Ely, Davis and Dana. His great grandfather, a graduate of Yale, was Hon. Thomas Darling, an eminent jurist who resided in New Haven, Connecti- cut, and who married Abigail Noyes, granddaughter of Rev. James Pierpont of New Haven. The pater- ! nal grandfather of the subject of our sketch was Dr. ! Samuel Darling of the same city, a graduate of Yale, who married Clarinda, daughter of Rev. Richard Ely of Saybrook, Connecticut. His young- est son, the father of General Darling, was Rev. Charles Chauncey Darling, who was graduated at Yale College and at Princeton Theological Seminary, and having entered the ministry subsequently made | his residence in New York. He married Adeline E., j daughter of William Dana, of Boston, and grand- daughter of General Robert Davis, an officer of artillery in the War of the Revolution. The boy- hood years of General Darling were devoted largely to study, under the guidance of a private tutor. After matriculating at the classical and mathematical de- partment of the New York University, he passed through its regular curriculum, and at the end of the course entered as clerk in a mercantile house in New York. Several years later he became connected as Secretary of an incorporated company under the Presidency of Commodore C. K. Garrison. Shortly afterwards he resigned his position to accept the Pres- idency of a manufacturing company, with which he was associated several years. When he ceased his immediate relations with business he made his first trip to Europe to gratify those literary and artistic tastes which his active life had forbidden. Return- ing from his Continental trip when the question of the possible secession of the South from the Federal Union was receiving much public discussion, he connected himself with the National Guard of New- York, and when Hon. Edwin D. Morgan was elected Governor, he w-as appointed a member of his staff with rank of Colonel. He also identified himself with political matters and was President of one of the Republican organizations of his district. By his decision of character he united many discordant elements in the party, subdued the passions of some, deepened the love of country in the hearts of others, and preserved order frequently under difficult cir- cumstances. When, in the summer of 1863. New Y'ork became the scene of riots. General Darling was called upon to perform difficult and dangerous duties, and his firm stand on that memorable occa- sion received the most cordial approbation of the military as well as the civil authorities. As the fol- lowing letters have a historical as well as a personal signification, for the first time they are given publi- cation : IlEAnoj AKTEKs Fikst Division N. Y. S. N. G.,> New York, July 21. 1863./ Col. C. W. Darling. Colonel: — Having a vacancy on my staff, I shall be happy to receive you as a member of my military family, as Volunteer Aide-de-camp, you to retain CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 45 your rank of Colonel. At the same time I take oc- casion to express my thanks for your services dur- ing the late riot. I am very respectfully. Your obedient Servant. (Signed) Ciiari.es W. Sandford, Major- General. New York, August 17, 1863. Col. C. W. Darling, Colonel: — It always gives me pleasure to do justice to those who are prompt in discharging the duty which they owe to their fellow citizens in resisting violence, let it come from what source it may. Your gallant and efficient efforts to put down the riot in New York, so disgraceful to the city, on the 13th, 14th and 15th of July last, entitle you to the thanks of a grateful people. I am very respect- fully yours, (Signed) John E. Wool, Major General, U. S. A. State of New York. ) Dept. of the Commissary-General of Ordnance, • New York, August 22, 18(53. ) Col. C. W. Darling. Colonel: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication informing me of your instructions to the commanding officer of the Eighth Regiment to withdraw his command from the State Arsenal, and to thank you for so doing. Permit me to express my thanks for the energy dis- played during the scenes of disorder that occurred in our city in the month of July, and to assure you that we will recall with pleasure the names of your- self and fellow officers with whom the occasion brought us in close connection, and to whose efforts the State and this Department are much indebted. Very respectfully yours, (Signed) W. R. Farrell. ' 'ommissa/ry- General of Ordnance. Mayor's Office. New Y'ork, August 24, 18G3. Col. C. W. Darling, Dear Sir: — Accept my thanks for your energetic and efficient service on the occasion of the disloyal outbreak in this city on the 13th, 14th and 15th' of last month. The help of the military in subduing the riot was invaluable, and among them I was pleased to recognize yourself as prominent for gal- lantry and good conduct in the performance of the duty devolving upon you. It gives me pleasure to find that General Wool, in command of the United States troops called on duty, General Sandford, com- manding the First Division, N. Y. S. N. G., and the Commissary-General of Ordnance have accorded to you so much credit for the part you took on that occasion. I trust that our city may never again un- dergo a similar trial, but if it should, I hope that we may find in the hour of need many such as yourself coming forward equally prompt, earnest and efficient, to perform the patriotic duty of defending govern- ment and order against treason and anarchy. With high regard. Very truly yours, (Signed) George Opdyke, Mayor. Early in 1804 Col. Darling received the appoint- ment of Additional Volunteer Aide-de-camp on the staff of Major-Geueral Benjamin F. Butler, then in command of the Arm} - of the James, and was as- signed special duties at his temporary headquarters in New York. At this time the draft was to be en- forced, when it was anticipated that new disturb- ances might occur threatening the peace of the State. As it was known that the authorities had made every preparation, and sixteen thousand men under arms were afloat on the harbor, no attempt was made to resist the enforcement of the law. When Hon. Reuben E. Fenton was elected as Gov- ernor of the State of New Y'ork in 1865, Col. Dar- ling was recommended for the position of head of one of the military departments. His qualifications for the important trust were supported by recom- mendations from Major-Generals Butler, Doubleday and Warren; Brigadier-Generals Van Vliet, Webb, Davies, Morris, Gordon and Granger; also twenty- one commandants of regiments and batteries in the field. A large number of influential politicians also joined in the request : among whom were the Mayor of New York, the Collector and Surveyor of the Port, the Postmaster, the Chairman of the Union Central Committee and several members of Congress. This powerful influence thus brought to bear upon the administration had its effect, and Col. Darling, in view of his past business training and his reputa- tion for order and integrity, was assigned to duty in the Paymaster-General's Department, which at this critical period was of the first importance. As many of the soldiers were being mustered out through the expiration of their terms of enlistment, no little watchfulness and executive ability were required to protect the interests of the brave de- fenders of their country as well as those of the Gov- ernment. Nearly every New York regiment had unsettled accounts with the Federal and State governments, and many unprincipled claim agents were following the soldiers like sleuth hounds. The pressure to which the occupant of this responsi- ble office was subjected at this period is well illus- trated by the following brief quotation from one of the New York daily papers: "The number of claimants at the office of Col. Darling averages about two hundred daily. He is beset with land- sharks, bounty-brokers, middlemen, etc., who are trying all sorts of ways to grab a portion of the money being disbursed, but the Colonel thwarts all their contrivances in the shape of offered presents, commissions, percentage, etc., and will manage affairs so that every man who is justly entitled to pay shall receive the same without drawbacks or deductions." The drafted men in the city who fur- 4 6 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. iiished substitutes and who were reimbursed by the State, were also notified to tile their claims at this office, where they were examined and passed over to the Supervisors at New York for final adjustment. The vouchers were sent by the Supervisors to the Paymaster-General at Albany, and the funds were transmitted from headquarters for payment to individuals. At the Union State Convention of the Republican party, held in Syracuse, September. 1866, among the delegates from the city of New York was the subject of our sketch. When the roll of delegates was called it was claimed that the dele- gates sent from the Seventh Assembly District repre- sented the conservative element, and were hostile to the radicals who called the Convention. It caused some excitement : a recess was (•ailed and during tins recess Gen. Darling with wise diplomacy reconciled opposing factions by resigning his seat in favor of Mr. Sinclair Tousey, upon condition that his two associates should compose with him the delegation. This arrangement was acceptable to the convention and the renomination of Gov. Fenton was thus secured beyond a doubt and made unanimous. Had this course not been adopted it has been gravely doubted whether Gov. Fenton would have been elected for a second term. In 1866 Col. Darling was commissioned as Commissary-General of Subsistence, which brought him into still closer relations with Gov. Fenton as a member of his military cabinet. This office he held until January 1. 1K67, when, on the re-election of the Governor, Gen. Darling received the appointment of Military Engineer-in-Chief of the State of New York, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen- eral. When the administration of Gov. Fenton was nearing its close, Gen. Darling applied for and ob- tained leave of absence to visit Europe again on a tour of instruction and pleasure. While in England he received many cotirtesies; among the various invitations extended him was one from Lord Elcho to meet the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cam- bridge, and be present with them on a review of troops at Aldersholt. In a subsequent trip abroad with his wife, he traveled extensively through Europe, Asia and Africa, making the trip up the Nile, through Ethiopia and Nubia, as far as the river is navigable. During this time many articles from his pen appeared in our journals, of a historical and political as well as of a social character. Having means at his command which render him indepen- dent of business cares, Gen. Darling has been able to gratify to the utmost his literary and scientific tastes. Ten years of his life have been devoted to foreign travel in nearly every country on the globe, and from this broad experience he has returned with a knowledge of national manners and customs, and a fund of general information which has been of great value in his writings. Intensely fond of his- torical studies, he has prosecuted his investigations in this department of learning with unusual dili- gence and with excellent results. His writings cover a wide range of themes, which he handles with skill and in a way to interest both the specialist and the general reader. His high character, scholarly attainments and distinguished public services have given him a large acquaintance with many of the public men of the day and earned for him many scientific and literary honors. He is the active Cor- responding Secretar}' of the Oneida Historical So- ciety at Utica, New York, also either Honorary or Corresponding Member of societies of like character in nearly every State in the Union. His active in- terest in public affairs and his prominent connection with some of the most stirring events happening in his time have necessarily made him to a certain ex- tent a conspicuous figure among his fellow citizens, by whom he is held in universal esteem. Notwith- standing the fact that he has persistently held aloof from politics, preferring the more congenial pursuits of literature and historical research, he has several times been asked to become a candidate for munic- ipal positions : but while appreciating the honor he has declined all political preferment. His work is performed quietly among his books, from which he feels that nothing, save the gravest condition of pub- lic affairs, can separate him. For several years he held the office of President of the Young Men's Christian Association of Utica, his present adopted home, and is now one of its Directors. Those who are familiar with the past struggles of that associa- tion for life : concede that he carried it through the most critical period of its history. As a result of those arduous undertakings an elegant structure has been erected for the Utica Young Men's Chris- tian Association by its friends, and the building is considered one of the most conspicuous ornaments of the city. Gen. Darling was also a member of the State Executive Committee of Young Men's Chris- tian Associations and on the expiration of his term of office in 1888 he was elected one of its Trustees. His interest in religious matters, however, is not confined to affairs connected with this department of Christian work. He is a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Utica, and in the private life to which he has retired, is the object of the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Through his connection with the Oneida Historical Society he has cultivated his taste for historical studies and his literary productions are numerous. He never writes for pecuniary compensation, and the monographs, brochures, essays, excerpta, etc., which he fre- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 47 quently sends out are printed for private distribu- tion. On the 21st of December, 1857, Gen. Darling married Angeline E., second daughter of Mr. Jacob A. Robertson, a wealthy and highly respected citi- zen of New York. His father was Archibald Rob- ertson, the Scotch artist who painted from life the celebrated miniatures on ivory of General and Martha Washington, during the time when he was sojourning as a guest in the family of the "First President." His brothers were Andrew J., Alexan- der H. (who at the time of his decease was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York) and Anthony L., Surrogate of New York in 1848, also Chief Justice of the Superior Court 1860-69. A sister of these brothers married Henry Winslow. founder of the banking house bearing his name. Another sister married Mr. Robert N. Tinson of England, and well known as a resident of New York City. Gen. Dar- ling has no children to inherit the honor of a good name, but his fondness for the little ones makes him always a favorite with them. HARTLEY, REV. ISAAC SMITHSON, D.D. pas- tor of the Reformed Church at Utica, was born in the city of New York. His father, Robert M. Hartley, (1796-1881.) for more than forty years was identified with many of the humane and benevolent institutions of the metropolis. Dr. Hartley is in the direct line of descent from the Hartleys of York, Berkshire and Cumberland, Eng- land. Among those who have been signalized for their merit may be mentioned the Reverend Hart- ley, Vicar of Armley in York, Dr. David Hartley, his son, and David Hartley, M.D., his grandson. Dr. David Hartley was an original thinker and a prolific author ; but his fame as a metaphysician and philosopher rests chiefly on his " Observa- tioi s on Man," which at the time of its publi- cation made a deep impression among men of letters, and in later years it has passed through many editions. David, son of the above, was dis- tinguished as a statesman and an ingenious pro- jector. His steady opposition to the war with the American Colonies led to his appointment as one of the Plenipotentiaries to treat with Dr. Benjamin Franklin at Paris, and with him to sign the defini- tive treaty of peace. He is allied also to the Smith- son family, one of whom, James Smithson. be- queathed five hundred thousand dollars to the United States for the establishment of a National Scientific Institution at Washington, D. O, known throughout the world as the Smithsonian Insti- tution. His mother, Catherine Munson, daughter of Hon. Reuben Munson, , the intimate friend of Governor DeWitt Clinton, came of good old Puritan and Holland stock. Her nobleness of char- acter, purity of purpose and graceful manner, blended with deep Christian principle and love for her native soil, left an abiding impression on all her children, which contributed largely to their personal attainments and success. After the usual preliminary studies. Dr. Hartley entered the Uni- versity of New York, and was graduated in 1852. Having chosen the ministry as his field for useful- ness, in 1853 he matriculated at the Union Theolog- ical Seminary in New York, where he remained a year, subsequently completing the requisite course of preparation at the Theological Seminary, An- dover, Massachusetts. At the close of his seminary life he visited Europe, where he remained quite a year. Through a physical disability, superinduced by an accident, he was led to revisit Europe, on which occasion he extended his travels through the Levant, Egypt, Syria and Asia Minor. As the War of the Rebellion was now upon the country, during his sojourn in foreign lands, he did much by pub- lic addresses, personal interviews and through the press to have the causes which led up to the Rebel- lion clearly known, the questions involved plainly understood, and how upon their solution would de- pend the permanence and power of the American Republic. As his brother had been sent abroad in the interest of the General Government, Dr. Hart- ley at once associated himself with his mission, and personally aided in the shipment of immense quan- tities of war material for the use of the Federal forces, receiving as his only reward for this self- denying service the satisfaction of having aided his country in the hour of its need, and hastening for- ward the hoped for issue — the collapse of the Southern Confederacy. On his return to the States in 1864 he was called to the pastorate of the Sixth Avenue Reformed Church, New York City. His official relations to this church covered a period of six years, terminating by being unanimously chosen to minister to the Second Reformed Church, Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. After two years' residence in that city, he was led to accept an invitation to Christ Church, Utica, New York, a position he now fills with unusual fidelity and acceptance. In 1873 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Rutgers College, New Jersey, of which institution he has been a trustee since the same period. In 1881 he was elected to the Presidency of the Synod of the Reformed Church in America, a few years later was commissioned as its delegate to the Evan- gelical Alliance in London, England, and at this 4 8 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. writing is the acting President of the Oneida His- torical Society, Utica, New York, having succeeded the present Assistant Treasurer of the United States. In 1873 Dr. Hartley was directly instrumental in founding an annual course of lectures to be deliv- ered before Rutgers College and Seminary, known as the " Vedder Lectures on Modern Infidelity." Though Tayler Lewis, LL.D. had been selected to open the course, to be followed by Dr. Hartley, he requested, however, Dr. Hartley to take the prece- dence and deliver the first series: which he did, choosing as his theme, " Prayer : its Relations to Modern Thought and Criticism." These lec- tures were shortly given to the press ; and have been regarded as a noble contribution to Christian science and apologetics. Lectures on subjects so- cial and economic, as well as religious, have fre- quently been delivered by Dr. Hartley, which have met with unwonted favor. Among the topics which he has specially discussed may be men- tioned: The Orient; Egypt: Palestine: Assyria: The Testimony of the Ancient Monuments and Coins to the Truths of Revelation; College Education; and a history of the University of Oxford. An arti- cle in the American Theological Renew entitled, "Testimonials from Profane History to the Coming of a Redeemer," won him admiration from the scholarship evinced, as well as from his labor and patience in the study of original sources. He is the author also of a " History of the Reformed Church, Utica, New York," a "Memorial of Rev. Philemon H. Fowler D.D. ; " "Old Fort Schuyler in History; " and of a large octavo volume entitled, " Memorial of Robert M. Hartley." To the Amtri- ea n Magazine of History he has contributed valua- ble biographical and historical articles on Hon. Horatio Seymour, and Hon. Roscoe Conkling: and tn other magazines brochures on early Ameri- can history. There have been put in print also several of his occasional discourses, especially such as bear upon local, State and National interests. In 1887 he issued a volume of poems, original and se- lected, richly illustrated, entitled, "The Twelve Gates ; " and in the following year, " Sundays in the Adirondacks," a collection of suggestive discourses delivered while camping with friends among the wilds of that broad wilderness. The prevailing tone of thought in the theological discourses and lectures of Dr. Hartley is reverent, instructive and elevating. He teaches that the present is far in ad- vance of the preceding age, and that the records of mankind are for instruction rather than for our imi- tation. Between revelation and true science he finds no antagonism ; but when the truths of these departments of study are viewed in their proper re- lations, they are parts of a common whole; and however modern scientists may deride spiritual and divine forces, they are none the less real than is gravitation in the material world. His contributions to the magazines are carefully prepared, always written in the interest of truth, and possess a his- toric as well as an instructive value. He wields a graceful pen, writes with method and divides his periods between force and earnestness. His sen- tences are as pleasurable as they are logical : nor is there any reading between his lines. His study of the Elizabethean and Addisonian periods of letters, and his familiarity with the best of American writers, are discoverable in all his productions. As a pulpit orator and a platform speaker he is far above the average, and when important interests are at stake he touches the circle of the purest elo- quence. His varied studies, his travels, his ac- quaintance with leading and influential minds, his broad views and love for all that contributes towards the elevation of our common humanity, combine to make him a most useful citizen, while affording him also an enviable position among his associates. CANTWELL, COL. EDWARD PAYNE CHRY- SOSTOM, of Utica, soldier, jurist, teacher and author, was born in Charleston, South Caro- lina, December 22, 1825. He comes of the ancient family of Cant well, which is of Norman-English origin. He received an academical education under the Right Reverend Dr. England, at the Philosophi- cal and Literary Seminary in his native city, and at the age of twenty-one was graduated with the de- gree of Bachelor of Laws in the Law Department of Harvard University. In 1847 he was appointed by President Polk Second Lieutenant in the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry, United States Army, and Avas confirmed in that rank by the United States Senate, March 17 of the same year. At, the battle of the National Bridge, August, 1847, he comman- ded the storming party, and carried the stars and stripes which are now preserved as a relic of this war in the War Department, Washington City. On February 22, 1848, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. On the disbandment of his regi- ment at the close of the Mexican War, in 1848, he established himself at Wilmington, North Carolina, and began the practice of law. While a resident of this city he organized the company of militia which was chartered in 1853 as the Wilmington Light In- fantry. Of this command he was the first Captain. In 1854 he removed to Raleigh in the same State, and two years later was elected Clerk of the House CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 49 of Commons, the lower branch of the Legislature, serving as such until 1861, when he resigned. On April 15, 1861, he was appointed Adjutant-General of North Carolina, and on May 14 following ac- cepted the commission of Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers, and took the field with that command. Being cap- tured shortly afterwards by the Federal troops, he was confined for a period at the Old Capitol and at Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie. Upon his release, early in 1862, he was appointed Civil and military Governor of Norfolk and Portsmouth, with the rank of Brigadier-General, by the President and Senate of the Confederate States. In 1863 he was com- missioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth North Carolina Cavalry. For gallantry at Petersburg, dur- ing the Kautz raid, repulsing the attack at the Water Works, June 9, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel. In the latter year he was appoint- ed by the President and confirmed by the Senate of the '• Confederate States," as Presiding Judge of the Third Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. With the cessation of hostilities he returned to North Carolina and resumed the practice of law. settling temporarily at Oxford. In 1866, upon the passage of an Act of Congress providing for the readmission of the State of North Carolina to the Union, on certain conditions, lie addressed a letter to Robert P. Dick, Esq., afterwards United States Judge, recommending the Old Line Democracy of the State, and the people generally, to accept any terms of readmission the Government (night pro- pose, and particularly the adoption of what was called "the Radical" Constitution, pledging him- self, in the event of its adoption, to any necessary amendments. The Raleigh Standard published sev- eral thousand copies of the letter during the bitter canvass which ensued and which resulted in the success of the Republican ticket by a large majority. The Congress of 1866 removed Col. Cantwell's disa- bilities, but he refused to hold office or be a candi- date in the election. In 1868 he was chosen Judge of the City Court of Wilmington, by the unanimous vote of the Governor and Senate of North Carolina. In 1873 he was appointed Solicitor of the Fourth Judicial District in the same State. He was elected, without opposition, Senator of the Twelfth District, in 1876. On taking his seat in that body he intro- duced a bill to call a State Convention for the amendment of the constitution, which passed both branches of the Legislature. The convention was called, the constitution, as it now stands amended under this act, was adopted, and Col. Cantwell im- mediately retired from public life and has never since taken any part in public affairs. Upon leav- ing the North Carolina Senate he retired to his farm at Brinkley, North Carolina, and in 1880 re- turned to his native city. In 1882 he was appointed Instructor of the Preparatory Department of the Charleston High School, with classes in History and Law, and in the following year became Professor of Law and History in the Georgia Military Academy. He afterwards removed to Utica, New York, where he has since resided. Col. Cantwell has won dis- tinction in the field of letters as the author of books, essays and opinions on legal subjects, and a number of historical works and papers. Among these are volumes entitled, " The North Carolina Justice," " North Carolina Form Book," " Early Times and Traditions of the Caroliuas," " The Barnwell Expe- dition, 1712," " Irish Discovery of America," "In- surrection of 1766," "Life of Franklin," "Life of Malesherbes," etc., etc. Col. Cantwell is a member of the Historical and Scientific Society of North Carolina, a member of the Historical Societies of Delaware and Georgia, and of the Oneida Histori- cal Society. In the cultured circle in which he moves he is prominent in philanthropic and Chris- tian work. In February, 1889, upon an invitation from some of the most prominent gentlemen of Utica, he repeated, in that city, his famous lecture upon the Pre-Columbian Discover}' of America by the Irish. Among these gentlemen were Gen. G. W. Darling, Hons. John F. Seymour, M. C. Comstock, Francis Kernan, E. Prentiss Bailey, Alexander T. | Goodwin. P. F. Bulger, C. W. Hutchinson, Messrs. G. W. Weaver, G. K. Shurtleff, P. V. Rogers, and | the Rev. Drs. Goodrich, Hartley and Gibson, Rev. ■ Messrs. Maxon, Olmstead, Schulte and others emi- • nent for their public services and their deep inter- j est in the welfare of the city. Col. Cantwell is per- sonally held in the highest esteem by his fellow- citizens generally. TOURTELLOT, LOUIS ANDRAL, M.D. of Utica, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga County, New York, February 13, 1832. He is descended in the fifth generation from Gabriel Tourtellot, a native of Bordeaux, France, and a Huguenot, who emi- igrated to this country in 1690. He prepared for College in Kingsboro Academy, but was compelled by delicate health to forego a collegiate course. For several years afterward he was engaged in teaching, and as assistant editor of a daily newspaper, but at length began the study of medicine with his father, Dr. Freeman Tourtellot, who practiced his profes- sion in Saratoga County for nearly fifty years. He was graduated from the Medical Department of the 5° CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. University of New York in 1854, and after passing a year in the hospitals and dispensaries of that city, -went to Utica in 1855, to accept an appointment as assistant physician in the State Lunatic Asylum. After holding that office for seven years, he resigned to enter upon private practice in Utica. Dr. Tour- tellot was married, in 18G2, to Elizabeth Hubbard, only daughter of Hon. Hiram Denio, LL.D., Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals. In 1871 he went to Europe, where he devoted much time, during a two years' stay, to the study of insanity and the care of the insane, visiting for that purpose man}- of the asylums of Great Britain, France, Switzerland and Italy. Since his return in 1873 Dr. Tourtellot has devoted himself to the specialty of mental and nervous diseases. As an editor for twelve years of the American Journal of Insanit/y, and as a contributor to the American Psychological .Journal, the Journal of JYtrroiix and Mi idol Dixeaxex, and the Medico-Legal Journal, his writings are vo- luminous. He has labored in the cause of reform in our civil service, and has been especially devoted to the department of lunacy reform. Dr. Tourtellot has two children : a son and a daughter. Widely esteemed in social life, he is especially honored in his profession. Hanking therein among the foremost and most progressive, and enjoying in an exception- al degree the confidence of a large and evergrowing clientage, he gives abundant promise of increasing usefulness and honor in the coming years of an active life. VEST, PROF. CHARLES EDWIN. A.M.. M.D.. LL.D., etc., etc., a distinguished American teacher, founder of the system of higher edu- cation for women, and for nearly thirty years Prin- cipal of the Brooklyn Heights Female Seminary, was born at Washington. Massachusetts, February 23, 1809. His parents were New Englanders, and were both of English ancestry. Gilbert West, the poet and the author of the great work on the Resur- rection, was of the same family as that from which Dr. West's father sprang, and was the son of the Rev. Dr. West, Prebendary of Winchester, England, whose wife was Mary, daughter of Richard Temple, Baronet, of the Buckingham and Chandos families. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Abel West, a native of Lebanon, Connecticut. He is described as "a large man, of commanding ap- pearance; an inveterate hater of British tyranny, and a profound admirer of John Calvin." He mar- ried Hannah Chapman, whose father, John Chap- man, an Englishman by birth, was the first deacon of the Congregational Church in Yernon, Connecti- cut. Mrs. West died at Washington, Massachu- setts, April 28, 1814, aged sixty-one years. She was an amiable and pious woman and was remarkable for her extraordinary memory. The Rev. Dr. John Todd, in his sermon at the funeral of Abel West. Jr. (her son) said of her that while she never read but two books, — the Bible and Josephus, — she could re- peat these verbatim, from memory, so that you might open the Bible anywhere and read a verse and she would unhesitatingly recite the next verse following. Her pastor used to say that she was one of two persons in the congregation whom he feared, for if he were to repeat a sermon, however great the interval, she would be sure to know it. At a critical period in the Revolution Abel West sold his farm and witli the money thus obtained, purchased provisions for Washington's army. While driving an ox-team laden with these army stores through the forests of New Jersey, a courier from the army came dashing along with despatches announcing the surrender of Cornwallis. Such was the univer- sal joy that West was ordered to turn his oxen loose and was paid in Continental money, which was never redeemed by the government. He died January 12. 183G. and the support of his family fell upon his son Abel Jr., who was one of seven chil- dren, — two sons and five daughters. It is interest- ing to note that up to the year 1870 six of these children were living, t heir aggregate ages reaching 510 years, averaging 85 years each. Abel was born in Yernon. Connecticut. November 27, 1780. and married, in early manhood, Matilda Thompson, a daughter of Thomas Thompson, who came over from England in the British Army under General Burgoyne, and was at the battle of Saratoga. This martial grandfather of Dr. West was born at Ap- pleby. Westmoreland. England. April 18. 1737, and was a fine example of physical strength and per- sonal beauty. He stood six feet six inches in height. When disaster befell the British troops under Burgoyne. he was one of the hundred men selected by that commander from the very flower of that army and ordered to cut through the Amer- ican lines. Although his clothing was pierced in three places by Indicts, he managed to get through alive and unharmed, being one of the nine or ten who succeeded in doing so. When peace was de- clared he made his home in America, spending the latter part of his life in Pittsfield. Massachusetts, where he died November 21, 1840, at the great age of one hundred and three years, seven months, and three days. Dr. West's mother (his daughter) was in all respects a most remarkable woman. She, too, was distinguished for great physical poweis, CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. which served her admirably in the arduous work of rearing and managing a large family. She is re- membered with great affection as possessing " all the virtues which make up a noble character." " Her crowning glory was her disinterested benevo- lence." She was without selfishness, and hesitated at no sacrifice for the good of her children or others. In a wide district she was known as "the good Samaritan." ever ready to go on errands of mercy to the sick and needy. She possessed great evenness of temper and was profoundly religious. Her life and example were of the highest value in suggesting, to those in her circle of friends and ac- quaintances as well as to her children, the beauty and importance of a noble life. Born in Pelham, Massachusetts, July 9, 1782, she died, sincerely mourned, at Pittsfield, in the same State, May 10. 18(>6. Dr. West's father, Abel West, died at Pitts- held, Massachusetts (where he had lived for more than half a century) on February 2, 1871. By na- ture Mr. West inherited a very tenacious memory, so that what he read was retained ami assimilated and digested so as to be his own. " In judgment," says Dr. Todd, in the funeral sermon quoted above. '• he was sound, balanced and so discriminating that he seldom had occasion to reverse his deci- sion*. It should be noticed that he was one of the most perfect specimens of a natural gentleman in his dress, bis address, his maimers and language. His dress was faultless, his manners actually court- ly, his form straight and active, and, whether he spoke or wrote, everything bore the marks of the gentleman. Those who recollect him in the town- meeting — the training school for the genuine New England man — will recall his unusual powers in debate. On one occasion, when he was a member of the Legislature at Boston, a subject arose in which he was interested, and a distinguished law- yer of this county, though not of this town, pro- nounced the speech of Mr. West the ablest of the wh >lc session. He was also a man of childlike sim- plicity of character, to which. I may add. great pur- ity of heart, and had the comfort through life of re- ceiving the Bible as God's word without doubt, cavil, or hesitation. Such a temperament united to his religious faith made him cheerful and happy to an unusual degree. Thus by the grace of God this man lived, and was gathered as a shock of corn cometh in its season, and at the great age of ninety went to his rest without a tarnish on his name or a reproach attached to his memory." Such were some of the influences, and such the goodly herit- age that were destined to mold the life and character of the subject of this sketch. Among the Berkshire Hills, in the charming town of Pittstield, he spent 5* his early childhood and youth, and the bracing mountain air and picturesque surroundings were not without their direct influence upon him. Un- der the guidance of virtuous and industrious pa- rents he formed a taste for knowledge. The growth of plants, the peculiarities and habits of animals, and the forces of nature early engaged and inter- ested his young mind. He was eight years old when his parents removed to the Ward house in Pittstield. When placed at school he found pleas- ure in study. The atlas with its colored lines, marking the boundaries of States and countries, es- pecially pleased his fancy, and in the maps — almost the first pictures which fell under his eye — betook un- bounded delight. As a Consequence geography was mastered on the run. While still very young he attracted the attention of his teachers, one of whom, Mr. Henry K. Strong, a graduate of Union College, inspired him with a desire for a collegiate education. A financial disaster made it necessary for his father to economize and for some years the project could only be referred to as one very desira- ble but not altogether feasible. In the meantime young West worked about the farm, but his health began to fail and the outlook was not very promis- ing. Nevertheless, he applied himself closely to study, hoping for better things. With money saved from his small holiday allowance he made his first purchase of books: Pike's Arithmetic and Bobbin's Narrative, and the joy he experienced in their pos- session has probably not been equalled by any sub- sequent purchase of literature. Permitted at last to attend the academy in Pittstield he cheerfully worked during his leisure hours so as to defray the cost of his board, and when sufficiently advanced began teaching in the district schools during the winter sessions. When the academy was super- seded by the Berkshire Gymnasium, under the priu- cipalship of Prof. Chester Dewey, he took his place in the classes in the hitter, and during the winters of 1827, '28 and '2!) taught in the district schools with no little success. In May, 1830, he entered Union College, at Schenectady, under President Eliphalet Nott, then at the zenith of his fame and popularity. In 1832 he was graduated at Union College with the highest honors. His class num- bered seventy-five. Twenty-seven of its members became lawyers; twenty-three, clergymen; six, physicians; and four, teachers. Among those who became specially prominent were Dr. John McClel- land, Bev. Dr. James M. Macdonald, Bev. Dr. Ed- ward D. G. Prime, Hon. Alex. Bradford, LL.D., Hon. Thomas Allen, LL.D., Hon. David B. Floyd- Jones, Judge Gilbert M. Spier and Hon. Boger Averill. West's first position after leaving college 52 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. was at the head of a boy's school at Sand Lake, New York. From there he went to Albany to study law: but despite his desire to master and practice that profession he was drawn into teach- ing; and in that city his fife work may be said to lujve betruii in earnest when he found himself at the bead of a select school of fifty or more boys. From 1833 to 183G he labored in this field, the foundation he established maturing into the Albany Classical School. While residing in Albany, Prof. West married Antoinette E. Gregory, daughter of Henry M. Gregory, of that city. She was the possessor of many and rare personal accomplishments, and of a profound religious character, and was devoted to works of charity among the' poor and afflicted. This beautiful and estimable Christian woman died on March 26, 1838. at the early age of twenty-four years. In the autumn following this bereavement. Prof. West, who for some little time previously had been filling the chair of Chemistry and Natural History at the Oneida Institute, removed to Bing- hamton, where he was residing when invited to take charge of Rutgers Institute in New York. At this time numerous invitations and offers were made to him, but of them all he chose to accept the call of the institution named, since he was in full accord with its projectors, in believing that woman was as capable of higher mental training and devel- opment as man. Polite learning for the drawing- room was apparently the limit of the most advanced female education at this period. With ample means at his disposal to carry on the work, and the hearty co-operation of a most intelligent board of trustees — the Chairman of which was the Rev. Dr. Isaac Ferris — Prof. West began his experiments, hopefully, systematically and scientifically. The results may be said to have astonished not only the community but the nation, and attracted the atten- tion of many distinguished Europeans. As per- fected, the course in mathematics was similar to that of the Military Academy at West Point : and when the classes were examined by college pro- fessors of mathematics, it was clearly proven that woman could and did excel in the higher walks of learning. Thus Rutgers Female College of New York took its place as the originator of the college system of education for women in this country, underthe di- rection of Professor West. Among the distinguished foreign visitors to the institute in these early days were Frederica Bremer, the Swedish novelist; Catherine M. Sedgwick: Fanny Kemble : Lady Franklin ; Prof. D. Buddiugh, of the Royal Acad- emj of Delft, Holland: Amin Bey, Naseef Shedood- yat. Martin F. Tupper. General Bertrand, of France, and other celebrities; while among the em- | inent Americans who examined its workings wen- Webster and Clay. Brought into agreeable and, in numerous instances, intimate relations with the literary and scientific men of New York City, Prof. West became a member of several societies, among them the Lyceum of Natural History.— at the meet- ings of which he often met Audubon. Torrey. De- Kay. Jay and other lights of the scientific world: — and the Historical Society, whose honored Presi- dent was Albert Gallatin. In 1851, after spending twelve years there in founding this first collegiate course for women. Prof. West left Rutgers to ac- cept the Principalship of the Buffalo Female Acad- emy, a position to which he had been urgently in- vited. Here he spent nine years, during which period lie advanced this school to the front rank. The opening of the Civil War broke up the project of founding a university in the city of New York, in which he was engaged in conjunction with Gor- ham D. Abbott, the President of the Spingler Insti- tute in Union Square, and for which a site had ac- tually been purchased. Urged by Professor Gray, then the Principal of the Brooklyn Heights Female Seminary, who was suffering from a fatal disease, to take his school, Prof. West consented. Prof. Gray died in March, I860, and Prof. West entered upon his duties the succeeding fall term, and remained until the close of the school year in June, 188!). Prof. West's experience as a teacher covers sixty-two years. During the first ten of these he taught boys exclusively, their number aggregating at least one thousand. The succeeding years were devoted en- tirely to the instruction of girls, ten thousand of whom have unfolded and developed their intellects under his wise teaching and loving counsel. This remarkable record, probably Unexampled in point of length, is doubtless unequalled in point of effi- ciency and also unparalleled as regards the number of pupils. The intellectual and moral effect of such labor is scarcely conceivable. Dr. West is justly entitled to be called a many-sided man. His studies have touched upon nearly every field of human knowledge and have penetrated many of them deeply. Experimental research in every depart- ment of scientific inquiry has always held a charm for him which nothing could overcome. At the period he adopted teaching as a profession he was engaged in studying the mysteries of the law. Up- on removing to New York City he continued his studies in the office of John Yan Buren (" Prince John ") and Hamilton W. Robinson, and on May 16, 1845, was duly admitted to the bar. Later in life he devoted himself to the study of medicine pri- vately and at the best colleges, simply with a view to enlarging his fund of knowledge and powers of CONTEMPORARY BIOG RAPHY OF NEW YORK. 53 usefulness. In 1844 the University of New York conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. In the same year he received from Columbia College the degree of Master of Arts. In 1851 the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by Rutgers College, New Jersey. While at college in Schenectady he became affiliated with the Kappa Alpha, the oldest college society in America, and was also honored by election to the Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. As a young man he studied chemistry as a private pupil of the elder Sillinian of Yale College. This science and physics were special favorites with him, and for forty years he taught them to his pupils. All the remarkable advances, discoveries and inven- tions, which make this century notable, have oc- curred in his day and he has known many of the men who through them have written their names Upperishably on the scroll of fame. He had ar- rived at man's estate before Peter Cooper, in 1830, started the locomotive "Tom Thumb" over the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, ami he became intimately acquainted with this kind- hearted inventor and liberal friend of education. With Prof. Henry, who in the same year had an electric telegraph in working order, and with Morse, who later perfected its application, he was likewise intimate. In 1839, while Daguerre's dis- covery was astonishing and delighting the world, he was co-operating with Prof. Draper, Dr. James P.. Chilton, and Prof. Morse in bringing it out in this country, and his was the first likeness taken in a public gallery in America, Prosch, the noted instrument maker, being the operator. Almost from its development as a science Prof. West has been an active promoter of meteorology — now so useful to man — and for many years made several observations daily, recording the results. In 1860 his knowledge of hydro-dynamics was put to a most useful test by the citizens of Buffalo, he hav- iiiL been appointed on a committee to investigate the claims made by Rollin Germain bearing on the construction and speed of ocean steamships. His adverse report as Chairman of the committee opened the eyes of would-be investors to the fallacy of Germain's preposterous assertion that a speed of one hundred miles an hour was attainable, and saved the citizens of Buffalo many thousands of dollars. As a microscopist he was also early in the field, and rendered valuable service in perfecting instruments, organizing societies and lecturing in this department. He was one of the founders of the American Society of Microscopists, and about 1850 was elected a member of the Royal Microscop- ical Society of London. In the science of astron- omy he has always been deeply interested. He is a member of the American Astronomical Society and has been the friend and correspondent of several eminent astronomers, both American and European, among the latter the late Father Secchi of Rome. Altogether he is a member of some twenty-five sci- entific societies. As an antiquary he holds a high rank ; being honored several years since by an invi- tation from the Royal Society of Northern Antiqua- ries of Denmark, to visit that country and read a paper on American antiquities. This society con- ferred its Honorary Fellowship upon him in recog- nition of his attainments and writings. This dis- tinguished honor he shares with the esteemed Emperor of Brazil and several European sovereigns. His diploma is signed by the late Emperor Freder- ick, as President of the Society. For many years Dr. West was an active and prominent member of the Brooklyn Institute, and upon its recent reor- ganization was elected President of the Section on Natural Science. Shortly after he became a resi- dent of Brooklyn he was elected a member of the Clerical Union of that city, with which Henry Ward Beecher, Rev. Dr. R. S. Storrs, and other eminent divines were connected. He has made a profound study of the Bible and has written a large number of papers on Biblical subjects. The titles of some of these are as follows : The Pentateuch: The Eng- lish Bible; Book of Genesis: The Creation of Mat- ter; Creation of Man: The Image of God; The Original Status of Man: The Official Dignity of Man ; The Fall of Man ; The Tree of Life or Immor- tality; The Immortality of the Redeemed; The Everlasting Death of the Wicked : The Noachic Deluge : The Confusion of Languages ; The Unity of the Human Race: .Miracles: etc., etc. His "An- alysis of Butler's Analogy " was published by Har- per Brothers. Among the numerous scientific pa- pers from his pen may be named one entitled " Cyclones and Earthquakes," and an article on an earthquake that occurred in western New York, which was published in Sillimari'a Journal. His review of Dr. Edward II. Clark's book on co- education, read before the Clerical Union, Decem- ber 13, 1873, attracted wide attention and gained him the author's friendship. One of his recent publications is entitled " Fifty Years of Progress." It is an octavo of about one hundred and fifty pages, and is crowded from cover to cover with interesting and valuable facts and experiences. On the 23d of May. 1889, he delivered an address before the Brooklyn Union, entitled "The American System of Education ; Its Origin and Development ; Its Value as a Civilizing Force." Among his papers and addresses of lesser note may be named one 54 CON TEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. proving the date of " Forefather's Day" to be De- cember 21, which led to its adoption by the New- England Society of Brooklyn, of which Dr. West is one of the original members; also several pa- pers which bore on the title " Doctor of Laws " and permanently settled the controversy as to the punctuation of the usual abbreviation of that title. For twenty-nine years, Dr. West gave daily lectures upon art before his pupils, the course comprising eighty lectures. His knowledge of this subject, based on careful study, wide observation, and an instructive appreciation of the beautiful, is unusu- ally thorough and his lectures in consequence ab- sorbingly interesting. In his private collection of engravings and etchings were no less than ten thou- sand examplars, among them being some of the rarest and most valuable in the world, including several original etchings by Rembrandt, and one of the first five copies of the Sistine Madonna, — en- graved by Johann-Frederich-Wilhelm Muller — the acknowledged masterpiece among engravings. Dr. W r est's interest in art has led to his being elected honorary member of the Rembrandt Club, and member of the Grolier Club. He is one of the old members of the Century Club, and also of t lie Brooklyn and Hamilton Clubs.. For a number of years he was President of the Council of the last named. His residence in Montague Street, Brook- b n, is rilled witli rare and costly art treasures. 1 [is collection of Japanese art is one of the finest, and includes some of the oldest, richest and most ele- gant Satsuma and bronze vases that have ever been brought to this country ; and as the Japanese Gov- ernment has forbidden the Damioes to sell any more of these ancient goods, their equal will prob- ably never leave Japan. In this marvellous collec- tion are sacred pictures, shrines, images and vest- ments of remarkable antiquity r , several having an authenticated pedigree of from ten to twenty centu- ries. A volume might be written on this collection alone. Its character and authenticity is shown by the fact that Buddhists who have visited it fall on their knees and worship before these shrines. His library, which was sold upon his removal to Buffalo, in 1889, was one of the finest private collections in Brooklyn, and included among its treasures the first Algebra ever printed and a copy of the first edi- tion (very rare) of Johannes Zahn's " Oculus Arti- ticialis." P>ery department of science, art and lit- erature was represented, and it contained a num- ber of rare works in the Icelandic, Anglo-Saxon and ( >riental languages. Dr. West possesses a fine col- lection of scientific apparatus and instruments, large and valuable. His collection of autograph letters is extensive and interesting. His intimate acquain- tance with science, so far from alienating him from Christianity, serves only to deepen his respect for revealed religion and reverence tor and confidence in God. In conversation he is absorbingly interest- ing; in manner as simple as a child. He carries his years gracefully and wears his honors modestly, but at all times he is noticeable for that quiet dig- nity which superior knowledge combined with ele- vated character alone confers. On April 24, 1843, Dr. West married Miss Elizabeth Green Giles, of Worcester, Massachusetts, daughter of Nehcmiah and Mary Giles of Walpole, New Hampshire. The ceremony was performed at the house of the late ex-Governor Emory Washburn, of Cambridge, Mass- achusetts, whose wife was a sister of this lady. Miss Giles came of an old New England family. Dickens, who met her at the house of Governor John Davis of Massachusetts, declared her the most beautiful woman lie had ever seen. She was highly accomplised and was a devout Christian. She died September 7, 1804, leaving two sons and three daughters. TTTATSON, DR. WILLIAM H., A.M.. M.D., of yU L'tica, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, If Novembers, 182!). lie is the only son of the late Hon. William Robinson Watson. On the paternal side lie is descended from the oldest, most respectable and most distinguished families in the State of Rhode Island, among whom may be named the Wantons, Hazards, Robinsons and Browns, who, at a period anterior to the Revolutionary War, were the largest landed proprietors in the southern portion of that State. These families were noted for dispensing an elegant and princely hospitality and furnishing a genial and polished society when the city of Providence was yet but a small and incon- siderable village. Dr. Watson, on the paternal side, is the lineal descendant in the fifth generation of Gideon Wanton, the Colonial Governor of Rhode Island in 1745 and 1747. Five of Dr. Watson's an- cestors had filled the Gubernatorial chair of that State previous to the Revolution of 1770. The original ancestor of the Watson family, John Wat- son, came from England about 1680, and settled in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Dr. Watson's father, son of John J. and Sarah (Brown) Watson, was bom at South Kingstown, December 14, 17'J'J. He pursued his early preparatory studies at the Plainfield Academy at Plainfield, Connecticut, and was graduated from Brown University, class of 1823. Among his classmates were Chief Justice Ames, of Rhode Island, Rev. Dr. Crane, George D. m .IP** CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 55 Prentice, the distinguished editor of the Louisville Journal and Judge Mellen. of Massachusetts. Professor Gammell. in an article on the necrology of Brown University, 1863-64. states that Mr, Wat- son •• was admitted to the bar. but engaged to only a very limited extent in the practice of his profession. His life was devoted pre-eminently and almost ex- clusively to politics. For nearly forty years he was one of the most active and prominent politicians in Rhode Island. Yen probably no individual ever exerted a greater influence in its local politics. Mr. Watson was also, during a greater part of his life, a writer for the political press. In several instances, usually for brief periods prior to important elec- tions, he conducted editorially certain papers with which he was politically connected. His writ- ings were almost invariably of a political character, and in the interest of the Whig party, of which he was a devoted champion in Rhode Island. The most elaborate of these were a series of papers first published in the Journal, in 1844. under the signa. t ure of 'Hamilton.' These papers were afterward collected and reprinted in pamphlet form. The political doctrines then held by the Whig party were therein explained and vindicated with unusual force and clearness." Mr. Watson was distinguished alike for the integrity and ability with which he discharged the duties of the many and varied public offices which he filled: for the elegance and force with which he wielded a facile and graceful pen: and for kindness of heart and dignified urbanity of manner. These traits of character secured the attachment of many of the warmest of friends, by whom his agree- able qualities were fully appreciated. Dr. Watson's mother, Mary Anne Earle Watson, was the daughter of Hon. Caleb Earle. a former Governor of Rhode Island. Dr. Watson pursued preparatory studies for college at the High School and the University Gram- mar School in Providence. He entered Brown Univer- sity in 1848, and was graduated therefrom in 1852. On admittance to college in 1848 he received the First Entrance Prize in Latin and Second Entrance Prize for proficiency in Greek studies. During his collegi- ate course he was particularly, noted for fondness of. and high standing in the classic languages of an- tiquity. He obtained prizes for compositions in Latin in 1849, 1850. 1851 and in Greek in 1849 and 1850, and at the Junior Exhibition in 1851 lie was awarded the high distinction of delivering the Oratio Latina. He was one of the "Commencement Orators" on graduating in 1852. While in college he became a member of the United Brothers, Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Upsilon Societies. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Brown University in 1855. From his earliest youth he had shown a love of. and an aptitude for, the profession of medicine. He entered upon its study, immediately after gradua- tion from college, in the office of the late Dr. A. H. Okie, of Providence. After attending medical lec- tures at the Homoeopathic Medical College of Penn- sylvania, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Hospital at Philadelphia, in the spring of 1854 he received the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. On his graduation in medicine, he was chosen to deliver the annual address before the Hahneman- nian Medical Institute of Philadelphia, February 28, -1854. Having decided to select an inland location, he removed, in the spring of 1854, to the city of Utica, New York, where he still enjoys an extensive and influential practice. Dr. Watson has held many responsible offices and appointments; among them several of the highest that can be conferred by any association or focal or State authority. The more important are named in the following paragraphs. Dr. Watson began practice when an espousal of the homoeopathic system aroused intense opposition and involved entire social ostracism from old school association and fellowship. The homoeopathic sys- tem had acquired a distinctive sectarian name, an inexcusable offence in the eyes of the dominant school: one to which, even to the present time.it has not become reconciled. At that early period nearly all the homoeopathic practitioners had seceded from the old school. A few informal homoeopathic medical associations composed of these, often widely separated, physicians, had been formed and were feebly maintained. The homoeo- pathic school was then in its formative stage. No concerted action had been taken toward securing for it distinct and influential organizations. Dr. Wat- son at once perceived the necessity for a removal of the legal disabilities to which homoeopathists were subjected, and the acquirement, on their part, of a legal status, equal in every respect with that of the old school. He entered with alacrity and zeal upon the work of securing these desirable results. He gave to the cause freely of his time and means. And to his wise counsels, his indefatigable energy, his steadfastness of purpose and controlling influence is largely due the advanced standing, the thorough organization and scholarly position of the homoeo- pathic school of the present day. While he main- tains that a distinctive name seems requisite, in order to represent a particidar system of therapeu- tics, he holds that the medical profession should not be classified thereby. He is an uncompromising opponent of sectarianism in medicine. He would have the terms of admission to membership in all homoeopathic medical societies so broad as not to exclude any educated physician on account of thera- 56 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. peutic belief. Dr. Watson was one of the original members and founders of the Oneida County Homoeo- pathic Medical Society, having united with the so- ciety at its first meeting in 1857. He was elected its President in 1860. He became a member of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York in 1855. At the reorganization of the society in February, 1861, he delivered an inaugural address, entitled "The Past and Present Position of Homoeo- pathy, and the Duties of its Practitioners." He was elected a permanent member of the society in 1866. He was elected its President in 1868, and at the fol- lowing annual meeting delivered an address, entitled "The Medical Profession; Its Duties and Responsi- bilities, and the Relation of the Homoeopathic to the Old School Branch of the Medical Profession." In Februarv, 1872, he delivered another address before the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society, entitled "The Homa'opathic School, the Modern School of Rational and Liberal Medicine." This address, while it aroused decided hostile criticism, by its reasonableness and catholicity gained for him the cordial approval of the liberal-minded members of both the new and old schools of medicine. Pie became a member of the American Institute of Ilomu'opathy in 1854, and, having completed twenty- five years of continuous membership therein in 1879, became a Senior Member thereof. At the session of the Institute held in 1873 he introduced, and in an elaborate speech, supported the following , resolutions : ResoVoed, That homceopathists should strenuously insist upon the non-violation of the great fundamen- tal American principle of ' no taxation without repre- sentation' by sectarian monopoly of either National. State, county or city institutions that are supported by legal assessments, or of those private eleemosy- nary institutions which derive their support from individual contributions. Ilisoiad, That tin- recognition of this principle by the Legislature of Michigan by its recent action, in creating two professorships of Homoeopathy in the University of thai State, meets the most hearty ap- proval of this body." These resolutions, indicating the liberal policy of the homoeopathic profession, were unanimously adopted. Dr. Watson took a very active part in the controversy of 1870 and 1871 regarding the unjust and illiberal action of Dr. H. Van Aernam, United Stales ( 'ounnissioner of Pensions. Dr. Van Aernam bad removed from the office of Pension Surgeon Dr. Stillinau Spooner, of Oneida, Madison County, New York also a number of other homoeopathic pension surgeons in various parts of the country, giving as a reason, that "they did not belong to the school of medicine recognized by the Government." Dr. Van Aernam by this impolitic action sought to commit the government of the United States to the direct indorsement of the old school, to the exclu- sion of the homoeopathic, thereby practically estab- lishing sectarianism in medicine. Dr. Watson entered with earnestness and zeal into the contest carried forward on the part of honm'opathists in several Northern States. He instituted a very extensive correspondence: formulated pointed and forcible resolutions, and published stirring and vigorous ap- peals to his associates throughout the country. By means of these well directed efforts, the author of these discourtesies and acts of intolerance toward homceopathists was summarily removed, and the ejected homa'opathic pension surgeons were restored to their former positions. Dr. Watson was very active and influential in originating and urging to a successful passage through the Legislature of the State of New York, the act relating to the ex- amination of candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, passed May 16. 1872. He became a mem- ber of the first Board of Examiners appointed by the Regents under that law, at its first organization in 1872, and remained in office until his election in 1881, by the Legislature, to membership in the Board of Regents. While a member of the Board of Examiners he held the appointment of Examiner in Diagnosis and Pathology. He was one of the founders of the New York State Homa'opathic Asy- lum for the Insane, at Middletown, New York. In bis introductory address before the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society in I860, he recom- mended the appointment of a committee to urge upon the Legislature the necessity of taking appro- priate action for the erection of a State asylum for the insane, to be located in one of the southern tier of counties of the State, and to be placed under the control of a physician of good standing in the homoeo- pathic school. Four years after, in 1873, when the Middletown Asylum bad been created by legislative enactment, secured largely through his persistent efforts and influence. Dr. Watson was appointed by Governor John A. Dix a member of its first Board of Trustees. He resigned this office, after a service of three years, on account of inability, by reason of other professional duties, to attend the meetings of the Board of Trustees. He was appointed in March, 1875, to the office of United States Pension Examin- ing Surgeon, and served in that capacity six years. He resigned the office in 1881, on account of an in- tended visit to Europe. The degree of Doctor of Medicine, causa honoris, was conferred on him by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, on the nomination of the State Homoeo- pathic Medical Society, in 1878. Dr. Watson was appointed Surgeon-General of the State of New York, CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 57 with the rank of Brigadier-General, by Governor A. B. Cornell, in January, 1880. He was elected to the Office of Regent of the University of the State of New York, by the Legislature of the State, in Febru- ary, 1882, and holds that position at the present time. In his place as Regent, Dr. Watson has ever sought to elevate the standard of medical education. He suggested, and a legal friend drew up, the " Act to provide for the preliminary education of medical stu- dents ;" which gives to medicine the same statutory safeguards against illiterate practitioners now given to law by the law students' examinations. This bill was presented to the Board of Regents by Dr. Wat- son, and on his motion it was unanimously approved, and a resolution was adopted directing the commit- tee on legislation of the Board to support its pas- sage. (.Minutes of the Regents of the University for 1889, p. 532.) The bill was passed by the Legis- lature, and having been approved by the Governor, June 13, 1889, is now the law of the State (Chap. 468 of Laws of 1889). He was nominated in 1888, without any solicitation or knowledge on his part, by Governor Hill, to the office of Commissioner of the State Res- ervation at Niagara; and his nomination was unani- mously confirmed by the State Senate. He, how- ever, felt impelled to decline the honor, so gracefully conferred, on account of the pressing nature of other private and professional engagements. He is a Trustee of the Utica Female Seminary: Trustee of the New York State Library and State Museum of Natural History at Albany: member of the Medico- Chirnrgic-al Society of New York City; member of the American Society for Psychical Research, of Boston; member of the Oneida County His- torical Society; Corresponding member of the Rhode Island Historical Society; member of the stall' of the Faxton Hospital, at Utica; and is Senior Warden of Grace Church, at Utica; member of the Fort Schuyler Club, of Utica, and of the Uni- versity Club of New York City, lie has not infre- quently represented the Protestant Episcopal Church in its Diocesan Conventions, and was a delegate at the General Convention of the Church, held in New York in October, 1889. Dr. Watson passed several years in visiting the hospitals in the principal cities and the most noted health and pleas- ure resorts of Europe: making also, at the same time, a critical examination of the different systems of medical education in its various countries. Upon his return he delivered an address on "Medical Education and Medical Licensure," at the Twenty- third Convocation of the University of the State of New York, held at Albany, July, 1885. In this ad- dress he showed that the scope and relation of the medical profession demanded a high standard of education in its candidates, in order to ensure the greatest efficiency in its practitioners. He demon- strated that the present standard is so low as to have given rise to an urgent demand for its elevation. He strenuously insisted that it is the prerogative of the State to determine the educational qualifications of those who are to care for the lives and health of its cit izens, and that there must be an entire separa- tion of the teaching from the licensing interests. He outlined the proper condition of licensure as fol- lows: (1st) A fairly liberal preliminary education. (2d; Four years of professional study. (3d) Examin- ation and licensure by an impartial court appointed by the State. This address received the unanimous approval of the Convocation, and, widely attracting public attention, was most highly commended by gentlemen of prominence in educational matters in different portions of the country. In 1887 he visited California. Having had ample opportunity for per- sonal observation, and for instituting a just com- parison between the famous watering places of the old world and the health resorts of the United Slates, lie published several monographs presenting valuable information upon those subjects. In the spring of 1888 he visited Florida in order to become better acquainted with its advantages as a desirable health resort. Dr. Watson has been a frequent con- tributor to medical literature. In addition to the essays and addresses previously referred to, the fol- lowing articles are the more prominent among his published papers: Cereforo-spinal Meningitis {Trans- actions of the New York State Homoeopathic Medi- cal Society, 1864): Nosological Classification of Diseases (Do. 1864); Allopathic Bigotry (186!)); Old School Intolerance (Do. 1872; also Do. 1873); The Advanced Medical Act (Do. 1872); No Sectarian Tests as a Qualification for Office, and no Sectarian Monopoly of National Institutions (Do. 1872); Hom- eopathy (Zell's Popular Encyclopaedia (Do. 1870); In the early part of his medical career Dr. Watson aspired to the attainment Of the highest standing in the medical profession. That these laudable aspira- tions have been fully realized is attested by the qual- ity and thoroughness of his medical accomplish- ments. As a sound and reliable practitioner he has, these many years, stood at the forefront of the pro- fession. He has endeavored to represent that which is truly conservative and rational in the homoeo- pathic school, in contradistinction to that which, through Hahnemann's errors, is visionary, unphil- osophical and irrational therein. He has been emi- nently successful in carrying out this line of prac- tice, as is evidenced by the high standing that he has attained in the community where he has so long resided; as well as by the frequency with which his 5§ CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. advice is eagerly sought as a wise consultant in the management of difficult cases, both in the city of his adoption, and, in fact, in all the central counties of this State. By wisely endeavoring to adhere to homoeopathic principles when applicable, and at the same time appropriating all that is of essential value in other systems of treatment, he has fairly atttained t lie enviable reputation of being a practi- tioner of rec ognized ability and of great practical sagacity. He has been an earnest and constant stu- dent, not only in the field of his chosen profession, but also in other departments of science and general literature. Having oratorical powers . of a high order, Ins impressive and graceful presentation of any cause that lie may espouse renders that object or assoc iation, be it medical, political or literary, exceedingly fortunate in securing his interest and influence in its behalf. Dr. Watson was an intimate persona] friend and political adherent of the late Hon. Koscoe Conkling, and for more than thirty years Ins attending physician. He delivered several political addresses in Mr. Conkling's interest before the Conkling Club, of Utica, when the possibility of the nomination of Mr. Conkling for the Presidency seemed so promising in 1876. Dr. Watson married Miss Sarah 'I". Carlile, at Providence, Rhode [sland, May 1, 1854. Mrs. Watson died at Utica, .Inly 27, 1881. He has one son, William Livingston Watson, who was a member of the class of ls?!>, at Harvard College, and one daughter, Lucy Carlile Watson, both of whom reside with their father at Utica, New York. William Livingston Watson was mar- mied to Miss Alice G. Parkinson, of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, October 12, 1887. f|OCHRAN, DAVID HENRY, PhD.. LL.D., President of the Polytechnic Institute of ' Brooklyn, and identified with teaching and the cause of education for upwards of forty years, was born at Springville, Erie Count}-, New York, July 5, 1828. Samuel Cochran, his father, was a descendant of the old Scottish family represented in his day by the late Admiral Cochran, Earl of Dundonald. He was born at Three Rivers, Ver- mont, and died at Springville, New York, October 19, 1845. His wife— the mother of the subject of this sketch— whose maiden name was Catherine Gal- lup, was a native of Coleraine, Massachusetts. She was descended from a Huguenot family which es- caped from Frauce after the "Massacre of St. Bartholomew," and settled in America. Samuel Cochran was one of the pioneer settlers in Erie County, which at the time of his arrival was little else than a wilderness. Both he and his young wife were typical New Englauders, intelligent, re- fined and God-fearing: and although their new home on the very frontier of advancing civilization was at first quite primitive in its furnishings and sur- roundings, within it the atmosphere was intellect, ual and religious. Being industrious and energetic by nature, Samuel Cochran possessed the elements of success at the outset, and in time he became one of the most prominent and wealth}' men in the town of Springville. His sou David, who was the youngest of nine children, spent the first fifteen years of his life under the eye of his parents, and enjoyed every advantage that could fall to the lot of a boy brought up in that section of the State at that time. From the very dawn of his faculties lie seems to have been a close observer: and in the fields and woods, while a mere boy, the seeds of knowledge were sowed in his mind and the foun- dations of his character deeply laid. His school training was received mainly at the Springville Academy, a most excellent institution of learning, and still a flourishing one Natural science pos- sessed a charm for him beyond all other studies and. encouraged by his parents, who early perceived and fostered the bent of his mind, he made remarkable progress in this department of learning, although by no means neglecting others. To please his young son Mr. Cochran fitted up an unoccupied building he owned as a laboratory, and here the embryo chemist was permitted to indulge his " boy- ish fancy." It was the design of his parents that he should become a lawyer, but nothing could swerve him from his " first love," and it was finally decided to send him to the renowned University of Giessen, that he might have the advantages afforded by study under the famous Liebig. Owing to ad- verse fortune, this intention could not be carried out ; and David, thrown upon his own resources at the age of fifteen, turned his attention to teaching as a means of earniug his living. Clever and dili- gent in whatever labor he undertook, he managed to support himself comfortably, and at the age of eighteen years he entered Hamilton College, then under the Presidency of Simeon North, D.D., LL.D., and attracting a great deal of attention as an educational center. His acquaintance with chemistry was so thorough, that from his entrance to college he was excused from attending lectures on that scieuce. This gave him an opportunity to accept the position of lecturer on chemistry in the Clinton Liberal Institute, his instructions to the pupils in that school being given during the hour his class-mates in college were devoting to the same study. Several of his college friends have since CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 59 risen to considerable prominence, one in particular, Joseph B. Hawley — with whom his relations were and have remained most agreeable and friendly — attaining to the dignity of Senator of the United States. In 1850, upon being graduated from Ham- ilton, where, according to the testimony of Presi- dent North, " he was highly distinguished for scholarship in all departments of Study, but more especially in chemistry and other kindred sciences," Mr. Cochran, then in his twenty-second year, was appointed Professor of Natural Science in the Clin- ton Liberal Institute, a position he relinquished in the following year to accept the Principalship of Fredonia Academy. This Academy, one of the oldest in the State, was not in a very flourishing condition when he assumed charge of its affairs, but under his vigorous administration it took new life, increased its reputation and in a brief period doubled its attendance. Following the bent of his genius, Mr. Cochran sought at the outset of his principalship to make the study of natural science the predominating feature, with a view to winning for the school a reputation which would lift it to an importance commensurate with its age and respec- tability. But the great demand upon the resources of the Academy seemed to be in the direction of Latin and Greek, and. yielding to the pressure, the Principal took up these studies and, in a short time, had the largest class in the preparatory grades of the classics in the whole State. The thorough- ness of his system and methods had their natural result, anil the Academy became distinguished for its success in fitting its graduates for college. In 1854 Mr. Cochran was elected Professer of Chemis- try and Natural Science in the New York State Normal School at Albany, then the only institution of the kind under State control and, in consequence, occupying a representative and important position. When the Principal of this school, Dr. S. B. Wool- worth, was chosen to the Secretaryship of the Board of Regents of the State University, Professor Cochran was elected to the vacancy thus created, " his associate teachers unhesitatingly awarding him the position and welcoming him to his duties," although he was the youngest member of the faculty. To accept the position he gave up his professorship in natural science ; he felt obliged also to relinquish the profession of analytical chemist, notwithstand- ing the brilliant opportunities it afforded for the ac- quisition of wealth and commercial prominence. By these successive steps, each apparently the nat- ural sequence of its predecessor, Mr. Cochran, who started in life with a well-defined object in view, viz., that of following the profession of chemistry, j became absorbed in educational work. A man of clear views and decided convictions, he was ex- tremely reluctant to quit the life work he had mapped out for himself, and for the successful pros- ecution of which he was admirably qualified by temperament, study aud experience. Nevertheless, being assured that his executive ability in educa- tional work was of a superior order, and possessed a high value, he gracefully yielded to the pressure of circumstances, and he has since had abundant cause to be satisfied with the results, from whatever point of view the subject has been considered. While Principal of the State Normal School, Dr. Cochran filled the chair of Theory and Practice of Teaching, and, in the discharge of the duties per- taining thereto, lectured and taught before teachers' institutes in various parts of the State, and ac- quired an extended reputation. During the time he was thus engaged, he received attractive offers of professorships from several prominent education- al institutions, all of which he declined. He also declined to permit his name to be considered in connection with the Presidency of at least two others, although assured of his election. In recog- nition of his high scholarship and of his important services to the cause of education, the Board of liegents of the University of the State of New York conferred upon him, March 10, 18G2, the de- gree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dr. Carpenter, the distinguished English naturalist and Dr. Cochran were the first two persons who received this degree in America. In the fall of 1864 the Board of Trus- tees of the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute — as the Polytechnic Institute was then called — requested Dr. Cochran to accept the Presi- dency of the Faculty of that institution. This flattering offer implied the highest c onfidence in his learning, skill, and above all, executive ability ; and when it was strengthened by the Board expressing its willingness to entrust to him the absolute control of the practical, as well as educational management of the institution, he saw at a glance that the field of usefulness presented was an eminently desirable one, and accepted the position. In December fol- lowing he closed his work with the State Normal School, and devoted himself wholly to the duties of his new position, to which, up to this date, he had been able to give but a part of his time. The Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute origi- nated early in 1853. It was the outcome of a deter- mination on the part of a number of wealthy and prominent citizens of Brooklyn to give to that city an institution for the higher training of boys and young men, similar in scope and efficiency to the Brooklyn Female Academy, which, founded in May, 1845, and destroyed by tire in January, 1853, had 6o CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. been, in the brief term of its existence, most suc- cessful in establishing a high character and in win- ning the favor of the community. The gentlemen primarily concerned in founding the new institution wen- the Trustees of the Female Academy. When the buildings of this Academy were destroyed, Mrs. Wm. 8. Packer, the young widow of one of its first Board of Trustees, generously offered to give to the trustees the sum of #60, 000 for the erection of an institution for the instruction of her own sex in the higher branches of education. This munificent offer (subsequently strengthened by another offer of #20.000 which it was not found necessary to claim) being gladly accepted, a new institution was founded and appropriately named in honor of the husband of this generous benefactor to education. The Trustees Of the old Academy then dissolved thai corporation and applied the stock to the found- ing of the '• Polytechnic," the original Trustees of which were Messrs. L.B. Wyman, Geo. S. How land. P. S. Tucker, J. E. Bouthworth, Isaac II. Frothing- ham, (President), John T. Martin, (Treasurer). II. K. Worthington, D. S. London, C. S. Baylis, J. C. Brevoort. J. S. T. Stranahan, S. B. Chittenden, Jas. How, J. O. Low. (Secretary). II. B. Claflin, J. L. Putnam and ('has. R. Marvin. In September, 1855, the structure specially erected for the purpose was completed, the faculty organized and the school opened for the reception of pupils, whose number was largely in excess of anticipation. The first President of the faculty was John H. Raymond, I). I)., LL.D., who remained at its head until the close of the academic year, 1803-4. when he resigned the position to accept the Presidency of Yassar College. President Frothingham of the Board of Trustees, in a " Historical .Sketch" of the '•Poly- technic," prepared for his colleagues on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary (1880) of its founda- tion, after referring to the Rev. Dr. Raymond's resignation, adds : ••After a considerable interim, the Trustees se- cured the services of the present President of the Faculty. David II. Cochran. Ph.D., LL.D.. who had Ion- been at the head of the only school established by this stale for the training of teachers, a school from which the Polytechnic had already received many of its most valuable instructors. "At the time of this change in administration, the Institute was reorganized, and important modifica- tions were made in its arrangements and classifica- tions, and in its methods of teaching and of exami- nations. "The Trustees are fully persuaded that to these changes in the educational economy of the Institute, and to the unremitting energy, rare executive abil- ity and superior scholarship' of President Cochran, is largely due the high character the Institute has since attained, and as well the impetus given to its financial prosperity." The course of study was enlarged in June, 180!), by the addition of a chair of Applied Science. In the same year the Regents of the State University, being impressed by the high character of the work done by the Institute under Dr. Cochran's adminis- tration, granted authority to the Board of Trustees and Faculty to confer the collegiate degrees of Bach- elor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, the fact being admitted that the " work in the scientific and liberal courses of study was fully equal to that of any of the colleges of the State." It may be mentioned here that the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute was probably the only educational institu- tion in the State not chartered as a college to which this power was accorded. No honorary degrees * were conferred by the Institute, and its graduates only received the regular degrees after having com- pleted the prescribed course. After the Board of Trustees of the "Polytechnic" had become fully acquainted with Dr. Cochran's ability as a director, — with his business tact and his intuitive knowledge j of men — the' employment of teachers and collection of bills were also confided to his care. Under the system devised and adopted by him, the losses in unpaid bills were reduced from several hundred dollars per annum to nothing. It was also notice- able that in the selection of his corps of assistants his judgment was rarely at fault. Instructors who proved inadequate to or incompetent for their duties were never retained after their inefficiency w as dis- covered. To enable him to comprehend at a glance the work of both teachers and students, Dr. Coch- ran has devised a system of recording results, as simple as it is comprehensive, which keeps before him the standard of every pupil during every month of the year, and also the work, successful or otherwise, of every instructor. Notwithstanding the rigor of this system, it is so absolutely just to all, that neither the pupils nor their teachers ques- tion its employment. Indeed, so successful has this eminent teacher always been in establishing and maintaining harmony between himself and his as- sistants that in his forty years experience — as he has been heard to say — he has never had occasion to complain of the loyalty of his subordinates, nor has he known of factions or differences among them. It is a fact worthy of note that every school which has been under his charge has been made to pay: and this, too, notwithstanding that he has been lavish in all expenses to increase their educa- tional efficiency. The number of students in the "Polytechnic" has more than doubled under his administration, and now aggregates eight hundred. The income of the institution, which, until 1880. was a stock company, was derived wholly from CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 6l tuition fees, and lias trebled under his management ; and while for some years previous to his assuming Charge it had not exceeded expenses, since that time it has never failed to show a surplus. During his administration a debt of nearly twenty thousand dollars has been paid, and the permanent property of the institution in buildings, fixtures and appara- tus has been increased in value more than one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars, not taking into account the estimated rise in values. The Institute buildings are centrally located, being on grounds near the City Hall. They are large and commodious, and are abundantly provided with means and appli- ances for the health and comfort of the pupils, and for the business of instruction. The Department of Physical Science is furnished with valuable and complete philosophical apparatus, well appointed chemical laboratories, excellent cabinets of natural history, and all appliances required for instruction in civil engineering and astronomy. To each of these large additions are made annually. The li- brary numbers over three thousand volumes. The President is the chief executive officer of the Insti- tute, upon whom the responsibility for its direction and discipline rests. The pupils, whose ages range from ten to twenty years, are distributed into eight grades, corresponding to successive yearly stages in the course of study. The four lower grades con- stitute the Academic Department, and the higher grades the Collegiate Department. By an admirable system of sub-division, the pupils in the Academic- Department are placed so as to secure the highest advantages from the teacher's personal influence and attention. Provision is made in the Institute, to the extent of its course, for all the essentia] branches of a classical, scientific, liberal or com- mercial education. There are ten separate depart- ments of instruction. During the first two years the Academic studies are common to all. In the third year there appear four distinct courses of stud}', some one of which the pupil is required to select, and to which he is restricted, unless showing unusual capacity. The classical or preparatory collegiate course embraces all the studies required for admis- sion to the most advanced American colleges, and is completed at the end of the sixth year. The sci- entific course is sub-divided at the close of the second year, one branch having reference to civil engineering. The Engineering branch includes over two hundred out-door or field exercises, besides continuous practice in the field of eight hours per day for one week, under the personal direction of the professor in charge. The other branch includes systematic laboratory work for two years, and in- struction in mineralogy, geology and electrical test- ing and measurements. It is probable that there art- more graduates of this school engaged in elec- trical engineering in this country than of all other American schools combined. The graduates in this course receive the degree of Bachelor of Science. The Liberal course, intended to meet the wants of those who design to complete their education in the Institute, includes all the branches of study of the regular full course of the most advanced colleges, but substitutes for Latin and Greek a five years' course in French and German, and a more extended course in the English language and literature and in general history. Pupils who complete this course, speaking and writing the languages taught with readiness and accuracy, receive the degree of Bache- lor of Arts. The commercial course is exceedingly thorough, and includes chemistry and civil govern- ment. Diplomas are granted to pupils completing special terms and courses of study. Moral mean-; are the sole reliance to ensure discipline. Such is a brief outline of the work of the Brooklyn " Poly- technic." The popularity of the school with the more intelligent class of citizens and the high re- pute sustained by its graduates are the best proofs of its efficiency. To make it what it is has virtually been the life-work of its esteemed President, and one to which he brought all the knowledge, skill, experience and earnestness of mature manhood. His great success as a teacher has given him a National reputation, and it is no secret in education- al circles that his services as President have been desired by the Trustees of at least three leading ! American colleges. Respectfully but firmly declin- ing the tempting inducements held out to him in other directions, he bound himself even more close- ly to the "Polytechnic" by his devoted labors in the line of advancing it to an educational institution of the very first grade. Its courses of study were gradually extended and increased until, within the past few years, graduates holding its degrees have been received into the post graduate classes of the leading American universities upon an equal footing with the graduates of the most renowned colleges. As the school was originally incorporated as a stock company, it labored under the great disadvan- tage of not being able to receive endowments or gifts from its friends and well wishers. Notwith- standing this great drawback, it kept right on in its work and paid for every advance out of its own earnings. As far back as 1869 the Trustees formed a plan looking to the surrender and final exclusion of the capital stock of the Institute. Twenty years later this was successfully accomplished, and under the provisions of an Act of the State Legislature, passed in 1889, the final dissolution of the old stock 62 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. academy was effected, and a certificate was filed in the office of the State Board of Regents, surrender- ing the charter of the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. Shortly before this was clone, formal application was made to the Regents of the University for the incorporation of the Poly- technic Institute of Brooklyn. The Board of Re- gents, with whom the " Polytechnic " has always been a favored institution, promptly granted the application and issued the desired charter, which confers upon the re-organized school all the powers and privileges appertaining to a college. The new corporation, formally organized in September, 1889, is created without a capital stock, and is empow- ered to receive and hold property, the income of which shall not exceed $250,000. The Institute has recently acquired by purchase the southerly half of the Dutch Church property, immediately adjoining it on Livingston street, and having a frontage of one hundred and forty feet and a depth ot one hun- dred and fifty feet. Upon this site a large and handsome structure is to be erected, devoted exclu- sively to the higher departments of the Institute. It is intended that this building shall be constructed and equipped after the most modern and improved plans, and that in it, when completed, the youth of Brooklyn and elsewhere shall have opportunities for an extended course of study in scientific and other directions, rivalling those afforded by the best established institutions of the country. The friends of the Institute who have stood ready for years to aid it in its work by endowments and gifts, may now do so with propriety and with the satisfaction of knowing that before it became the recipient of a single gift it had progressed unaided to the first rank among the educational institutions of the land. Dr. Cochran's share in this grand achievement lias been gratefully recognized by the press and public, and on all sides it is gracefully acknowledged that his accurate scholarship and high administrative ability, exercised for so long a period in the up- building of the " Polytechnic," have been the chief means of placing it in its present proud position. Dr. Cochran's career is a remarkable exemplifica- tion of the way in which the diligent cultivation of one talent may lead, in conjunction with shaping circumstances, to the development of another greater talent, which to the possessor is at first unknown. Dr. Cochran's early bent was plainly for natural science, and especially for chemistry, and his own taste would have led him to pass his life in the pur- suit of this noble science, enlarging its boundaries, and by new discoveries and applications adding to its power to cure or forestall disease, to embellish life or render it more comfortable, and to help on their way the arts and other sciences. But circum- stances made it necessary for him to begin early to impart to others the knowledge he had obtained; and while he was proceeding thus in the course which fortune dictated to him, it was gradually dis- covered that his talent as a chemist — although very marked — had a formidable rival in his talent a- a | teacher of youth; that he had the rare ^ift of form- ing young minds and characters, and winning, with no lack of discipline, the respect, sympathy and affection of his pupils. This discovery determined his career, for having found the highest and most useful vocation of which he was capable, he has never since sought to abandon it nor to escape, in any degree, its demands, however exacting. On more than one occasion tempting offers have been made to him to re-enter the scientific field, notably soon after his settlement in Brooklyn, when he was urged to take charge of some of the richest mines of Nevada, upon pecuniary considerations which would have diverted most men from the work to which he had given his life. But he resolutely de- clined these alluring inducements, to continue in his place at the head of the largest self-sustaining school in the world, and the only unendowed one which offers so extended and thorough a course of instruc- tion ; working with assiduity and the most con- scientious fidelity in a field of greater honor and broader usefulness, and for which he seems peculiarly fitted, and reaping a reward far more precious to him than ordinary riches. As a scientist Doctor Cochran's abilities and attain- ments arc of a high order. His co-workers gener- rally concur in regarding him as learned, skillful, practical and thorough, and agree that he ranks among the ablest professors of chemistry and the natural sciences in the State. '•He has a mind," says the distinguished mathematician, Prof. Charles Davies, " beautifully adapted to the acquisition of science. It is clear, quick, accurate, comprehen- sive and eminently logical. He refers every princi- ple to its elementary basis, and to its most extended generalization." In his private laboratory it was his custom for many years to spend all the time he could spare from professional duties. He is an en- thusiast in all the natural sciences, and few who have come under his influence have failed to be in- spired by his ardor in their pursuit. As a teacher he combines with this love of science the rare qual- ity of successfully imparting his knowledge. His ability and faithfulness early impressed his associ- ates. In the practical details of teaching he has few superiors. He is an easy and fluent lecturer, and the high compliment has been paid him by a noted man of science of saying that "his style, appear- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 63 ancc, and manner in the presence of his class could scarcely be improved." The circumstances in which he lias been thrown have developed in him the most varied powers as an instructor. He is thoroughly at home in Greek and Latin, having taught these languages exclusively during three years. He is a horn chemist and has been professor of chemistry and the natural sciences. He has fought penmanship, elocution and oratory. Mathe- matics, history, literature and philosophy are among his strong points. His loug and remarkably varied experience gives him peculiar qualities for supervising instruction, and not only is he entirely competent to make out examination papers in every subject taught in the Institute, but also to conduct exercises in any department ; in winch respects he lias the reputation in educational circles, of having but one or two equals among the Presidents of American colleges. In the ability to judge of the quality and extent of the work done by either teachers or pupils under him it is admitted by com- petent authority that he has no superior. " His character and culture are well balanced. Along with a quick perception of whatever is true in sci- ence, he has a tine appreciation of the beautiful in art and literature. His standard of Christian char- acter is elevated and consistently maintained, yet with modesty and charity." Both as a Christian and a gentleman his life is irreproachable; and his influence as a citizen and a teacher of youth is al- ways strongly exerted in behalf of religion and vir- tue. Dr. Cochran has traveled qxnte extensively for one so steadily employed. In 18G2 he made a tour of Europe, during which he visited, under the direction of the Executive Committee of the State Normal School, a number of the more prominent foreign educational institutions. Some six years later he visited the Pacific coast and made a careful examination of all the productive mines of Califor- nia, Nevada, Utah and Montana, returning byway of Fort Benton and the Missouri River. In 1881 he made a second extensive European trip. Notwith- standing the somewhat severe strain to which his varied duties subject him, he has managed to retain a fair degree of health, and is remarkable in looking many years younger than he really is. Outside of his purely professional work he exerts a decided in- fluence and accomplishes a great deal, both in a so- cial and philanthropic way. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the Century Club. He is a charter member of the Hamilton Club, which he was active in founding, and of which lie was Vice-President when the present club house was built. He was a corporate member of the Yxmug Men's Christian Association, an active mem- ber of the Board of Directors during his entire con- nection with it, and when ill health compelled his resignation, he was its President. An institution in which he takes a warm interest is the Hamilton College, of which he is a Trustee. Of the Brooklyn Home for Aged Men, conducted by ladies, he i-; now and has been for some years a member of the Advisory Board: he is also a member of its Building Committee. In the best social circles he is a welcome guest, admired for his engag- ing manners and brilliant conversational powers, and esteemed for his high personal character and solid acquirements. In 1851, while residing at Clinton, he married Miss Harriet Striker Rawson, daughter of the Rev. Peletiah Rawson, of Whites- town, Oneida County. New York, Professor of Mathematics in the Oneida Institute and for some time engaged as an engineer in the construction of the Black River and Erie canals. From this union have been born five children, of whom four are now living, as follows: 1. Henry Lord Cochran. 31. D, born in Albany, New York, July 7, 1855, was grad- uated in the classical and liberal course at his fa- ther's school, and took his medical degree at the Long Island Hospital College, in which he is uow (1889) Adjunct Professor of Surgery: 2. Thomas Cochran, born in Albany, New York. May 1, 1861, was graduated at the " Polytechnic" in 1878, studied three years at Amherst College, subsequently spent several years in the " Polytechnic" as Instructor in Latin and History, and i> now engaged in business; 3. Miss Rose Johnson Cochran; 4. David Henry Cochran, Jr., born in Brooklyn, January 29, 1871, and now a student in the '•Polytechnic." PLYMPTON, PROP. GEORGE WASHINGTON, C.E., M.A , M.D., Emeritus Professor of Phy- sics, Chemistry and Toxicology at the Long Island Hospital College, Professor of Physical Sci- ence and Engineering at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, and Professor of Physics and Engineering (and also Director of the Night Schools) at Cooper Union, New York City, was born at Waltham, Massachusetts, November 18, 1827. The Plymptons and Plimptons of America descend from an English family of considerable antiquity and prominence, and the name, originally Plumpton, is without doubt, derived from the vill or manor of Plumpton, in Yorkshire. The writer of " Historical Notices of the Plumpton Family." published in a book called " Plumpton Correspondence," issued by the Camden Society, London, 1839. refers to Nigell de Plump- ton, who, as early as 1168, was recorded in the list 6 4 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. of knights called to do homage to the king. Nigell de Plumpton held his lands from the Percy family, and his descendants in the third and later genera- tions assumed and hore the Percy arms, viz : on a field azure a fesse of six fusils or; but differenced these arms by charging each fusil with an escallop shell, gules. For centuries the family were staunch Catholics. Nicholas de Plumpton, son of Nigell, was Chaplain to Pope Alexander IV. and Archdea- con of Norfolk. In a letter from Pope Alexander, dated 1257, his name is spelled Plimton. Robert Plumpton, Esq., the last of his line according to English law, died without issue, in 174!), and the ancient manor of Plumpton passed by sale into the hands of the Lascelles, and is now owned by the Earl of Harewood, the present head of that family. The Plymptons and Plimptons of the United States are mostly (if not all) descendants of John Plymp- ton and Thomas Plympton, both of whom came from England about 1640, and settled in Eastern Massachusetts. Mr. Levi B. Chase, the scholarly and painstaking compiler of "A Genealogy and Historical Notices of the Family of Plimpton or Plympton in America, and of Plumpton in Eng- land," [Hartford, Connecticut, 1884] from which many of the facts here given are gleaned, gives the birth of John Plympton as "about 1620" and of Thomas as ' 1620-24." Both were men of superior intelligence, high integrity, and no little prominence; and although they brought no wealth from the mother country, they were possessed of considera- ble means at the time of their death. John Plymp- ton, who had the rank of Sergeant in the Puritan troops, was captured by the Indians at Deerfield, in 1675, and was burnt at the stake. Thomas Plymp- ton, who may have been his brother, was slain by the Indians on Boon's Plains, April 17, 1676. Thomas Plympton married "Abigail, perhaps daughter of Peter Noyes," and was the founder of the family by that name at Sudbury, Massachusetts. George Washington Plympton, the subject of this sketch, is descended in the sixth generation from Thomas Plympton of Sudbury, named above. His paternal grandfather, Deacon Ebenezer Plympton, was, like many others of his family, ' ' a soldier of the Revolution." He is described as a just magistrate, a kind father and a benevolent neighbor, and it was written of him that " he sustained a life, exemplary, worthy of imitation by all who value integrity more than money, and prefer patriotism and a free govern- ment to monarchy." He was born July 4, 1756, and died December 9, 1834. B3- his first wife, Susanna Ruggles, a native of Roxbury, Massachusetts, he was the father of a large family. Thomas Ruggles Plympton, his eldest son, born at Sudbury, Massa- chusetts, August 20, 1782, was a farmer and t rader in produce at Waltham, a town officer there for many years, and a man of means and influence. Joseph Plympton, a younger son, who died June 5, 1860, was a brave and distinguished American sol- dier, who served with conspicuous gallantry in the "War of 1812-15" and in the "Mexican War," and rose from a Second Lieutenantcy in the Regular Army to the rank of Colonel, commanding 1st U. S Infantry. Thomas Ruggles Plymptou, mentioned above, married Elizabeth Holden, whose ancestors for several generations were residents of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and whose father, Lewis Holden, who served in the night forces at Bunker Hill, on the eve of the battle, was subsequently com- misssoned Major by Governor John Hancock, of Massachusetts. His sixth child and second son, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the District and High Schools of Waltham, till he determined to adopt the profession of civil engineering. Thomas Hill, widely known subsequently as a distinguished scholar and mathematician, and who, in the later years of his life, was President of Harvard College, was his neighbor at Waltham in those early days, and as his friend and associate toiled with him over his mathematical studies. A practical course of machine building and the prescribed course of study at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy were completed in 1847, when he graduated with the degree of Civil Engineer. Not long after his graduation he was invited to return to the Institute as a teacher, which invitation he accepted for a sin- gle term. From 1847 to 1851 he was engaged in machine building, teaching and surveying both in Massachusetts and New York. In the last men- tioned year he accepted the Professorship of En- gineering and Architecture at the . University of Cleveland, Ohio. His appoiutment was terminated about a year later by the discontinuance of the University. In 1853 Professor Plympton was called to the chair of Mathematics in the New York State Normal School at Albany. He resigned this profes- sorship about two years later, but resumed it again by request in 1858, and held it until 1860. About the year 1852 he turned his attention to the building of railroad bridges, and was thus engaged when the great depression of 1857 put a temporary stop to all public works. In 1859 he was invited to become a candidate for Director of the Troy Polytechnic In- stitute, but declined. Some of his constructions w ere iron bridges in the vicinity of Trenton, New Jersey, and, in 1860, being requested to accept an appointment as Professor of Mathematics in the New Jersey State Normal School, he did so, partly with the view of being near his engineering work. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 65 Unable through various causes to take an active part in .the field in support of the Union during the Rebellion, he was, nevertheless, a strong patriot, and in many ways contributed his share to sustain the National authorities and to stimulate others to do likewise. For a time he rendered most useful ser- vices in drilling squads and companies of men at Trenton. In 1862, when it was proposed to estab- lish a department of instruction in applied science in the State Normal School in California, Prof. Plympton was prominently mentioned for the place, and a number of prominent educators, including Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, Prof. Chas. Davies, and Dr. S. B. Woolworth, Secretary of the Board of Regents of the State of New York, warmly recommended his appointment. The first named, then President of the State Normal School of New Jersey, in his communication on the subject to the Hon. J. Frank- lin Houghton, of California, said : " I must express in advance the great regret which I should feel in being compelled to part with Mr. Plympton. He is one of the few men whose loss to us would be quite irreparable. ***** As a teacher of mathematics he has few equals and no superiors within the circle of my acquaintance. As a man his character is most estimable and he would prove a great acquisition to any community where true merit and genuine worth are appreciated. I need not say more although much more might be said." Prof. Davies, the distinguished mathematician, wrote to the same. gentleman as follows : " I have known Mr. Plympton for many years and was associated with him in the Normal School at Albany. He is thoroughly educated in all t lie branches of the exact and mixed sciences, an admirable teacher, a genial gentleman and a model worthy of imitation by all pupils. If he goes to the Pacific he will be a great acquisition to your State." Dr. Woohvorth's recommendation contained the following Strong en- dorsement: "My knowledge of Prof. Plympton enables me to speak with great confidence of his qualification for such a position. He was associated with me when I had charge of the Normal School of this State, and was eminently successful as a teacher, particularly in the application of mathe- matics to surveying, engineering and natural phil- osophy. He possesses great facility of illustration, and a strong power of influence over his pupils. * * * I know of no man whose services in a Normal School will be more valuable, and I am sure that the friends of education in California will have reason to congratulate themselves if they secure the services of Prof. Plympton in their Normal School." Prof. Plympton remained in New Jersey until 1863, when he resigned the position he held at the Normal School in order to accept the Professorship of Physical Science at the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute, where he again became asso- ciated in educational work with his old friend and brother teacher, Dr. David H. Cochran, formerly President of the New York State Normal School but now President of the " Polytechnic." The relations thus renewed have been uninterruptedly and har- moniously maintained down to the present time (1889). In 1865 Prof. Plympton was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology in the Long- Island Hospital College and lectured yearly in the Spring course at that institution until 1885, when he resigned and was honored with the appointment of Emeritus Professor of Physics, Chemistry and Toxi- cology, the first conferred in this college. The hon- orary degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon him by the Long Island Hospital College in 1880. He had previously received the degree of Master of Arts. In 1869 he became Professor of Physics and Engineering at Cooper Union, and in 1879 he became Director of the Night School of the Union, both of which positions he still fills. An in- defatigable worker, Prof. Plympton found time dur- ing seventeen years of the period he has held his three official positions, to serve as Editor of Y1111, ■NostrantPs Engineering Magazine. This periodical was started in 1869, by Alex. L. Holly, a well known mechanical engineer, but passed out of his charge in the following year. Prof. Plympton was then called to its editorship, and conducted the work un- assisted down to the discontinuance of the magazine at the death of Mr. Van Nostrand (the publisher), in 1886. The magazine was a monthly eclectic publi- cation and was the standard one of its class in America. His connection with it made him well known in engineering circles throughout the coun- try and also abroad. During one year (1873-4) he ! received no less than six propositions to become I connected with some college as a Professor of En- ! gineering, three being invitations to accept the posi- ! tions. Aside from his labors in editing the maga- zine, which were sufficiently important , comprehen- < sive and exacting to make no small demands upon his time, he has done considerable literary work of a scientific and useful character. He revised and rewrote a large portion of Davies' ''Surveying," editions of 1870 and 1874. He has translated from the French of Yannettaz "A Treatise on the Deter- mination of Rocks ; " and from the same language a treatise on " Electro-Magnets," and others entitled "Injectors, their theory r and use;" "Ice Making Machines," and " Linkages." He is also the author of a treatise entitled "The Aneroid Barometer" and of the comprehensive article on "Carpentry" pub- 66 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. lished in Johnson's Cyclopedia. So much of his time has been engrossed by the work of teaching, lecturing, editing, and writing, that he has been able to give but an insignificant portion of it to practical engineering work. In 1856-57 he built some iron bridges in Pennsylvania, and in 1867-G8 was Chief Engineer of Water Supply and Drainage of the city of Bergen, New Jersey (now a part of Jersey City). Inl88"i lie was named by Mayor Low and appointed l>v the Governor of New York, a Commissioner of Electrical Subways for the city of Brooklyn, and is still a member of that Board. Prof. Plympton is a member of the Alumni Association of the Kensse. laer Polytechnic Institute, and a warm friend both of the Institute and its distinguished President, David M. Green, formerly a brother teacher. For twenty-one years he has been an active and promi- nent member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is also a prominent member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. In 1880 he was elected an Honorary Member of the Society of Architects. He has long been a member of the Century Club in New York City, and is one of the original members of the Hamilton Club of Brooklyn. Prof. Plympton is a resident of the city of Brooklyn and is well known and most highly esteemed in pro- fessional and educational circles both there and in the city of New York. In a series of articles from the pen of Mr. St. Clair McKelwav, editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, and published in that paper in 1877 under the caption of " Our Popular Lecturers," the accomplished writer thus refers to Prof. Plympton : "He fulfills the best purposes of the lyceuin, and that is instruction, and he fulfills it in the right way by mingled illustration and statement. A highly educated man, he is also a highly accomplished one, and w hat his mind receives it can give out through a variety of media. He can portray with a pencil, or reproduce and epitomize by a model which he will make himself, or narrate and enforce his know- ledge, observations and discoveries, through the spoken word or the printed page. Tyndall. Proctor and Huxley in England, and Agassiz, Barker, Marsh, Knowles, Parker, Doremus and Plympton in this country, are proofs that science can be popularized without being cheapened, and that audiences can be put on as even terms with solid knowledge as they can be with the dogmatism of the lvceuin de- claimers or the folly of the Lyceum clowns." There is hardly one of the practically scientific subjects- dynamics, mechanics', chemistry, architecture, geology, astronomy, physiology, acoustics— which Prof. Plympton's thorough knowledge has not de- veloped to public audiences, or to the^scientifie con- gresses of the country. His acceptability as an interpreter of the forms and forces of nature is very great. His manner is as remote from professional as can be; it is familiar without levity; simple, with- out the intolerable affectation of plainness: collo- quial, but dignified and animated w ithout the least bustle or pretense. As the basis and at the goal of all his discourses are facts. Further than they go or away from them he will not trust himself. The de- scriptive powers of Mr. Plympton's mind are of a high order of excellence. He can reproduce iu words the scenes or the situations which he wishes to bring to the knowledge of an audience with as much vividness, delicacy and vigor as almost any person who addresses the public. His methods are w holly extempore, but his preparation by study for all public occasions is thorough. His manner is animated — that of a gentleman at ease — and as the nature of his topics makes him the educator of his audience, his arts are those of the conversationalist and not of the orator or actor." Prof. Plympton is endowed by nature with ex- quisite sensibilities, clear perceptions and vigorous intellect, and of these native gifts he has made the most by assiduous and wide culture. There is hardly a department of science or art into which he has not at least entered. His knowledge may be termed encyclopedic and his pupils often remark that he seems to have read everything and forgotten nothing. As a scientist he ranks among the most accomplished in America, but although he is unusu- ally thorough and brilliant in the several depart- ments to which he has given particular attention, he can scarcely be styled a specialist, since he is pos- sessed of that eager desire for knowledge which overleaps every limitation of study and breaks down every barrier opposed to investigation. An eminent educator, the President of a leading American educa- ional institution, whose own attainments are of a very high order and w hose active experience covers a range of four decades, said of Prof. Plympton: " His intui- tive perception of mathematical relations exceeds that of any other man I ever knew : " — a compli- ment which the facts fully warrant. In his chosen department of engineering, Prof. Plympton is an authority. That he is peculiarly fitted for the great work of imparting knowledge is attested by his distinguished success as a teacher and lecturer and by the number, importance and permanence of the educational positions he so ably fills. Strong and persistent in his attachmcuts, he makes friends to keep them. Underlying the serious, earnest ex- terior which so well becomes the thinker and scholar, exists a genial, sunny nature and a warm heart. Of sturdy physique, solid acquirements, broad views and engaging manners. Dr. Plympton is a fine type of the American scholar: a modest gentleman, a thor- ough and earnest worker, and a sensible, upright man. He has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married December 17, 1855, was Miss Delia M. Bussey, daughter of Col. Thomas Bussey, of Troy, New York. This lady died in April, 1859, leaving one son, Hariy Plympton, born February - 10, 1857, who w as graduated as a Doctor of Medicine, CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 67 at the Long Islam! Hospital College, and is now a practicing physician in Brooklyn Prof. Plymptou married his second wife. Miss Helen M. Bussey, sis- ter of the first, July 3, 1861. By this union there have been four children : a son, Josiah, who died in infancy and three daughters, viz : Emma Louisa, Bessie llolden, and Delia. SIMMONS, HON. JOSEPH EDWARD, LL.D.. President of the Board of Education of the City of New York, President of the Fourth National Bank, and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, F. and A. M., of the State of New York, was born at Troy, New York, September 9, 1841. On the paternal side he is of Dutch desceut. His great grandfather, Christian Simmons, a na- tive of Holland, came to xVmerica early in the last century and settled in Dutchess County, New York. Christian Simmons had four sons and the}' all set- tled in Rensselaer County, New York, taking up wilderness land under what was called " The Van Rensselaer Grant." They were farmers by occupa- tion and were distinguished for their character, intelligence and thrift The father of the subject of this sketch was Joseph Ferris Simmons, son of Christian Simmons, one of the brothers mentioned above. He was born in the old town of Saudlake (in the portion now attached to Poestenkill) in 1817. When but sixteen years old he abandoned farming and removed to Troy, where he entered upon a mercantile career which was marked by industry and ability and crowned with success and for- tune. His active life as a merchant covered a period of forty-four years, during thirty of which he did an extensive business in the store at the cor- ner of Congress and Fifth Streets. Subsequently, for three or four years, he was a member of the tea importing house of Battershall, Simmons & Co. During the last eleven or twelve years of his life he was the head of the firm of Simmons & Darling, a leading wholesale grocery establishment in the city of Troy. Mr. Simmons had no desire for a public life, but his worth and ability were so highly appreciated by his fellow-citizens that he was practically compelled to regard to some extent their frequently expressed wishes. He rep- resented the Second Ward of Troy in the Board of Supervisors iu 1849, and in 1852 was elected to the Common Council of the city from the same ward. He was a director of the State Bank of Troy from its organization till his death, a period of twenty- five years, and discharged this as well as all other official trusts with scrupulous fidelity and with the highest honor to himself. Although a sufferer for many years from rheumatic gout, he was of a most cheerful disposition and, more remarkable still, un- der the circumstances, very fond of travel. Four of the last years of his life were spent in foreign journeying*, during which he visited all the princi- pal countries of Europe, made the tour of the Holy Land and sailed up the Nile. He died June 6, 1879, iu the sixty-second year of his age, at San Francisco, California, whither he had gone shortly after his return from abroad, having in mind at the time a half formed project of a tour of the world. The wife of Joseph F. Simmons, and mother of the subject of this sketch, was Mary Sophia Glea- son, a native of Townshend, New Hampshire, spo- ken of by her neighbors as " a lady of rare virtue and intelligence." She was the eldest child of Capt. Samuel Gleasou, a native of Townshend, New Hampshire, but during the latter part of his life a resident of Shaftsbury, Vermont, whose wife — her mother — was a Miss Ober of French descent. They were married in 1839 and she became the mother of three children, viz.: Hon. Charles E. Simmons, M.D. , President of the Board of Charities and Correc- tions, New York City; lion. J. Edward Simmons. LL.D., aud Emma Kate Simmons, now Mrs. Charles R. Flint, of New York. Her father was a veteran of the War of 1812-15; and her grand- father, also named Samuel Gleason, was a resilient of New Hampshire, and was a soldier of the Revo- lution. Such is the parentage and ancestry of the subject of this sketch. Reared iu a comfortable home, amid refined and cultured surroundings, his early years were passed in the city of his birth. His education began at the old Troy Academy, and was continued at a boarding school at Saudlake, where he was prepared for college by Wm. H. Schram. In 1858 lie entered Williams College, then under the Presidency of Mark Hopkins, and grad- uated with honor in 1802. After finishing his col- legiate course he began the study of law at the Albany Law School, lie received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 18G3, and was admitted to the bar at Albany at the May term of the Supreme Court, in the same year. He practiced his profes- sion in Troy until 18G7, when he removed to New York City and engaged in the banking and broker- age business. In 18G8 he became a partner of Benj. L. DeForest, and two years later was admit- ted to partnership iu the old banking house of Grant & Co. Owing to impaired health he retired from that house at the close of 1872. The winter of 1873 he spent in Florida seeking recuperation, but in 1874 he again engaged in business in Wall Street, where he steadily continued, in one way or another, 68 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. -until 1884, when he was chosen President of the New York Stock Exchange. At the time of his nomination for this office by the regularly appointed nominating committee, Mr. Simmons had been a member of the Board for thirteen years, although he had not been an active participant in its affairs during the larger part of that period. The panic of 1884 and the suspension of the house of A. S. Hatch &Co., the head of which, though but recently elected President of the Exchange, became disqualified for the office by his suspension, had brought the affairs of the Exchange to such a condition that it was abso- lutely necessary to exercise great care and discrimi- nation in the selection of a President. Although a comparatively young man. Mr. Simmons was not unknown or inexperienced. He was well educated, had spent fifteen years or more in active busi- ness and had retired with a comfortable fortune. His legal training — something exceptional for a member of the Exchange — was a qualification of considerable value in itself. Besides, as Grand Mas- ter of Masons in the State of New York, he was the respected head of more than one hundred thousand members of an orderly and prosperous fraternity, and also a Commissioner of Education of the City of New York. An editorial in the JV. }'. Mail and Express, Ma}- 2!), 1*84, referred to his nomination in the following words : " It is a good sign of the conservative spirit now beginning to reach even the speculative classes, w hen the New York Stock Exchange places in nom- ination for its Presidency a gentleman so thoroughly worthy of the confidence of the financial world as Mr. J. Edward Simmons. It is all important that the confidence of the country in its great financial market should be kept unimpaired. And it is un- deniable that the presl/ge of the Exchange has received something of a shock in the sudden and unexpected misfortune of its recent President. In placing at the helm at the present juncture a man who is removed from all risk of business failure, the Exchange takes a most prudent and judicious step, and the honorable business career and useful public services of Mr. Simmons render him emi- nently a man who will command general confi- dence." The AV/r York Dai!;/ Graphic, commenting on the nomination, said : Committee have wisely delicate and important "That the Nominatin acquitted themselves of duty, every one who has any knowledge, personal or otherwise, of Mr. Simmons will at once admit. It is no disparagement to the large number of intelli- gent men composing the Exchange to say that no more judicious selection for this important position could have been made. In the first place Mr. Sim- mons is a 'solid' man: he is a man of great natural force, of varied and extensive culture and practical experience in the business in which he is engaged. A.8 a presiding officer he happily combines the affa- bility of a man of the world with the dignity and force of a thorough parliamentarian. "The Ex- change will do justice to itself by promptly electing him. and Mr. Simmons will assuredly feel honored by his election to a position of dignity and distinc- tion." Other metropolitan papers spoke in a similar complimentary strain, and the Albany Evening Jour- nal declared that "The New York Stock Exchange will be very- fortunate if it secures as its presiding officer such a conscientious and such a capable gentleman as Mr. J. Edward Simmons." At the election. June 2, 1884, Mr. Simmons received six hundred and seven of the seven hundred and thirty-two votes cast. The membership of the Exchange was at that date one thousand and ninety-nine, and the vote polled was the largest on record up to that time, Mr. Simmons receiving more than was ever received by any previous candidate for President in a contested election. Mr. Sim- mons assumed his duties as President on the day following his election. With rare tact and judg- ment he speedily brought order out of chaos, and in a very brief period demonstrated to the en- tire satisfaction of even the most sceptical that he was the right man in the right place. His term of office proved such a brilliant success that he was re-elected a second term by a unanimous vote — "an honor seldom conferred," but which -was bestowed " in recognition of the able manner in which he had discharged its onerous duties the year before, and of the high esteem in which he is held as a mem- ber of the Exchange." The fact that a seat in the Exchange is valued at about •*2 r ),000 gives an idea of its importance. Besides, a membership in- cludes a severe test as to personal character and financial integrity. To be called a second term to preside over an organization whose transactions are so large and conducted on such a gigantic scale, is a compliment to theincumbent and is an evidence that he possesses executive ability of a high order, and a business capacity of unusual power. It should be mentioned that the office of President of the New York Stock Exchange is unsalaried, and that while it brings no emolument to its incumbent, it does bring weighty responsibilities and duties of a most onerous character. The position, neverthe- less, is deemed one of exceptional dignity and honor. At the close of his second term President Simmons was requested to allow his name to be presented as candidate for a third, but declined on account of his health. On his retirement he re- ceived a marked evidence of the esteem in which he was held in a series of resolutions, handsomely engrossed, which read as follows : CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 6 9 New York Stock Exchange to its retiring Presi- dent, Mr. J. Edward Simmons. New York, April 28, 1886. At a meeting of the Governing Committee held on April 28, 1886, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : Bexolved, that we take pride and great pleasure in conveying to our retiring President, Mr. J. Edward Simmons, this expression of our full appreciation of the efforts he has made and the success he has achieved in furthering the interests of this Ex- change by the honest and faithful performance of the high office to which he has twice been so flat- teringly elected bv his fellow-members ; and that in making this record on behalf of our constituents as a body, we render him only that which he has just- ly earned by his uniform exercise of superior ability, good judgment, deliberate courtesy and tact in the steady maintenance of the intimate relations, both official and personal, established and required by his dignified and influential position among us. Besotted, that a copy of these resolutions, suitably engrossed, be presented to Mr. Simmons. E. A. Drake, ) F. K. Sturgis, • Committee. W. S. Nichols,) George W. Ely, Secretary. In further evidence of their personal respect the Governing Committee presented Mr. Simmons with a beautiful gold watch bearing the following inscrip- tion: " Integer vita; xcelerixque purm" Presented by the Governing Committee of the New York Stock Exchange to President •' J. Edward Simmons, 1886. " Ilaec olim meminisse juvabit." On retiring from the Presidency of the Exchange Mr. Simmons took a trip to Europe accompanied by his wife and three children. Upon his return home, after an absence of several months, he de- voted his attention closely to educational matters and public affairs in general. His connection with the Board of Education began early in 1881, when he was appointed a Commissioner by Mayor Grace. In 1884 he was re-appointed by Mayor Franklin Edson, and, in 1886, he was unanimously chosen President of the Board, succeeding the Hon. Ste- phen A. Walker, who had resigned upon being ap- pointed United States District Attorney by President Cleveland. Mr. Simmons is now serving his fourth term as President of the Board. The Department of Education is probably the largest and most im- portant division of the City Government. The pro- perty in its charge covers nearly forty acres of land, and embraces one hundred and thirty-four school buildings, including a college for girls and one for boys. The value of this property together with the furniture, books and educational appliances proba- bly exceeds fifteen millions of dollars. Under the jurisdiction of this department is an army com- posed of over four thousand teachers, and about one hundred and sixty thousand scholars, male and female. From first to last Mr. Simmons has dis- tinguished himself by his zealous labors on this Commission. Judging by the results he has achiev- ed, it would appear as if he had a special call in this field of public usefulness. He is most ener- getic in his labors for the improvement and exten- sion of the public school system, and he is also a strenuous advocate of the higher education, his voice and vote being always given in favor of pre- serving and broadening the opportunities for those who desire to avail themselves of this great privilege. Largely through his personal labors and influence, the Legislature of New York was induced in 1888 to bestow collegiate rank and powers upon the Normal College of the city, previously a college in name only. His personal influence has also been exerted in various ways, with marked success, in aiding and developing the College of the City of New York, in the welfare of which he is warmly interested. In January, 1888, Mr. Simmons was called to the Presidency of the Fourth Natioual Bank, succeeding Mr. O. D. Baldwin. When in- vited to accept this distinguished position, he did not know a single member of the Board of Direc- tors, owned no stock in the corporation, and had never been in the bank. He was called to the J Presidency solely on the strength of his public record. The "Fourth National" is one of the leading banks of the United States. It has a capi- tal of #3,200,000, and its gross deposits are in the ! neighborhood of #30,000,000. The chief direction of this great institution is a weighty matter, and j calls for exceptional skill in financial affairs, the constant exercise of great tact, and unimpeachable honesty. When it is remembered that during his career of fully twenty years in Wall Street, Mr. Simmons never failed to meet a contract, had never been sued, and that in financial circles it was said that nothing whatever was known of him save what was to his credit, it is not surprising that a committee of conservative bankers should have j urged him to accept the Presidency of the great in- stitution thej- represented, which had absolute need at its head of a man of the very highest character and purest record. A Democrat in political faith, Mr. Simmons has on many occasions rendered im- portant services to his party, although he has never been an office-seeker and is not affiliated with any " hall " or faction in the party. He has been active in public life for a number of years, and has taken a prominent part in public affairs, but he has never 7o CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. held an office of emolument, always serving gra- tuitously. In the summer of 1885 he was promi- nently mentioned in connection with the Collector- ship of the Port of New York, and his appointment was strongly urged upon President Cleveland. The late Samuel J. Tilden, who was then actively assist- ing in shaping and directing the financial policy of the National Administration, interested himself par- ticularly in Mr. Simmons' behalf and strongly urged him to accept the position, which he (Mr. Tilden) believed would be offered him. At the request of the ex-Governor, Mr. Simmons visited Washington and presented a letter to Mr. Cleveland, of which the following is a cop}' : New York, June 24, 1885. Dear Mr. Cleveland : — Mr. J. Edward Simmons is about to visit Washington, and I take pleasure in giving him a letter of introduction to you. Mr. Simmons is President of the Stock Exchange and a thorough business man of high capacity and unex- ceptionable character. His name has frequently been mentioned for the Collectorship of the Port of New York, and I have thought you might like to see him. While lie has been a uniform Democrat, his appointment would be very acceptable to the Independent Republicans, to the press, and to the general public. You could rely upon his carrying out the exact line of policy which you should indi- cate. He would give a good administration of that important trust without undue influence by any class or by any individual. Very truly yours, (Signed) Samtel J. Tildex. Mr. Simmons made no effort in his own behalf, de- claring that he was perfectly happy in his position as President of the Stock Exchange, and was de- sirous of serving out his term. The press very gen- erally endorsed him for the Collector's office, and his appointment was approved and urged by hun- dreds of representative business men, who believed that the New York Custom House should be con- ducted on business principles, and not to serve political ends. In the light of subsequent events, it is not too much to say that through its absolute indifference to the wishes of Mr. Tilden in this matter, the Administration forfeited his friendship and unwittingly dealt itself a political blow from which it never recovered. Mr. Simmons has been urged repeatedly to allow his name to be presented for the office of Mayor, but always declined. While in Europe, in 1885, he was nominated for this of- fice by the Business Men's Democratic Association, the opinion being freely expressed that his candida- ture would doubtless result in holding the majority of the Democratic vote, and in attracting a suffi- cient number from conservative Republicans to en- sure his election and the defeat of the newly organ- ized party with its novel theories of property, etc. Learning, upon his return home, of the nomination of Mr. Hewitt by the Democracy, Mr. Simmons wrote to the Chairman i f the Business Men's Mu- nicipal Association, thanking that organization for the great honor conferred, but declining it in the interests of that certain success which he predicted would attend the nomination of Mr. Hewitt, to whose support he pledged himself and urged his friends. Mr. Simmons became a member of Mt. Zion Lodge, No. 311, F. and A. M., at Troy, New York, in 1884. Ten years later he affiliated with Kane Lodge, No. 454, in the city of New York, became its Master in 1877, and again in 1S78, and, in 1883, was chosen Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York by unanimous vote and served in that exalted office one year. His rise to this dignity after sitting only five years in the Grand Lodge was unprecedented, and indicated the general appreciation of his worth and influence as a Mason, as well as his great personal popularity. He is a member of Jerusalem Chapter, No. 8, Royal Arch Masons, and of Ca-ur de Lion Commandery, No. 23, Knights Templar, and was Eminent Com- mander of the latter in 1881. He has also filled the offices of District Deputy Grand Master of the Sixth Masonic District, and Grand Marshal. In September, 1885, having previously takeu all the lower grades and degrees in the Masonic Order, he received the Thirty-third Degree, the highest that can be conferred. Mr. Simmons' experiences in Masonry have been as pleasant as they have been notable. Upon his retirement as Master of Kane Lodge he was presented with a magnificent jewel of office and an exquisite bronze image of the God of Love, the latter, a free-wdl offering, being de- signed to typify the harmony and good-feeling which prevailed during his administration of the affairs of this Lodge, which ranks as "the silk- stocking Lodge " of the city, and as one of the largest, wealthiest and most influential in the Or- der. As Grand Master of the State, Mr. Simmons laid the corner-stone of Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, and also that of the Armory of the Forty-seventh Regiment of Brooklyn. Both occa- sions were marked by imposing ceremonies. He also assisted in laying the corner-stone of the Obe- lisk in Central Park. While holding the office of Grand Master he visited Europe, and during his sojourn in the United Kingdom was entertained by the Prince of "Wales — whom he ranks as a Mason — and banqueted by the Faculty of Trinity College, Dublin. Throughout his stay in Europe he was kindly received everywhere, and met a number of distinguished men, including Gladstone, Parnell, the Duke of Edinburgh and others. Mr. Simmons CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 7 1 possesses a large number of valuable and treasured souvenirs and tokens of esteem, including auto- graphs and photographs of many distinguished per- sons, silver trowels and rich jewels of the Masonic Order, jewelry, bronzes, books, and beautifully en- grossed and elegantly framed resolutions, diplomas, certificates, etc. In June, 1885, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the Uni- versity of Norwich, Vermont, in recognition of his distinguished services in the cause of education. In every position of trust that Mr. Simmons hns held, his executive ability and his diligent attention to his duties have gained for him the reputation of an admirable officer. His ample means make him entirely independent of salar}-, and with the excep- tion of his bank Presidency, all his official positions are and have been those in which the honor has been the only emolument. He lives in a style be- fitting his fortune and position in society, having a fine city mansion and a pretty country home — • Stag's Head," at Lake George. He is a skillful angler and has whipped the streams of the Adiron- dacks, Maine and Pennsylvania for trout and other finny game. His accomplishments are many and varied, and he is especially fond of music and is a skillful performer on the piano. He has traveled extensively in Europe and America, and besides being widely known, has an army of friends drawn to him by those personal qualities which in every age and country, by whoever possessed, have been powerful in moving human' affection. Mr. Simmons is a member of the University, Manhattan and New York Athletic Clubs, and of the St. Nicholas and New England Societies. He takes an active interest in benevolent matters, and for man}- years has been a member of the Board of Managers of the New York Infant Asylum. He is also a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. For a number of years preceding the death of the Hon. Samuel J. Tilden, he was a close personal friend of that distinguished sta ?sman. whose brother married a sister of Mrs. Charles E. Simmons. On April 12, 1866, Mr. Sim- mons married Miss Julia Greer, daughter of George Greer, Esq., of the city of New York. Of the five children born to this marriage three survive, viz.: a son, Joseph Ferris Simmons, now a student in New York City, and two daughters, Julia Greer and Mabel. Regarded from almost any point of view, Mr. Simmons' career is a most successful one. His popularity is bounded by no business or social lines, and is greatest where he is best known. Mr. Simmons is a born orator. His ideas and views upon any subject, when given utterance, are framed in exquisite and appropriate language, and spoken in a manly yet musical tone. He has a wonderful power in holding the attention of his auditors and invariably wins their generous applause. Press notices of his numerous speeches and addresses on public, educational and Masonic topics are invari- ably laudatory. Many of his addresses have been published in the newspapers and also in pamphlet form, and if collected woidd make a large and in- structive volume. His style as a writer is scholarly, terse and vigorous, powerful in logic and convinc- ing in argument. Several of Ins addresses on edu- cational matters have been given a wide circulation by the Department of Education. Among these the more recent are, an "Address delivered at the Commencement of the Normal College of the City of New York," June 30, 1887 ; "Address on the Present Condition and Progress of Popular Educa- tion in the City of New York," January 11, 1888, and an address entitled, " The Higher Education a Public Duty." Mr. Simmons was chosen Treasurer of the fund raised in New York City for the relief of the sufferers by the Conemaugh Valley floods in 1889, and in this capacity took charge of and trans- mittedto the proper authorities in the State of Penn- sylvania upwards of a million dollars. When the World's Fair project for 18!)2 took shape, Mr. Sim- mons was appointed a member of the General Com- mittee and by that body was made a member of the Finance Committee, of which lie was subsequent- ly elected Treasurer. ROCHESTER, THOMAS FORTESCUE, A.M., M.D., LL.D., a distinguished citizen and phy- sician of W r estern New York, was born at Rochester, New York, October 8, 1823, and died at Buffalo, New York, May 24, 1887. During the last thirty-five years of his life he was a resident of the city of Buffalo, and one of its most esteemed physi- cians. At the time of his death he had practiced his profession continuously for forty years. Dr. Rochester was descended from the colonial English settlers of Virginia. His ancestor, Nicholas Roches- ter, a member of the Rochester family of Essex County, England, came to this country soon after the settlement of Jamestown, and became the pro- prietor of a plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia, which was greatly enlarged subsequently by additions purchased by his sons and grandsons. The descendants of Nicholas Rochester were numer- ous, and were found not only in Virginia but also in North Carolina. One of them, named Nathaniel, a great-grandson of the founder of the family, and the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a very remarkable man, and as the founder of the New 72 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. York branch of the family, one of the earliest and most active promoters of the development of wes- tern New York, and the virtual founder of the city of Rochester, merits special mention in this place. Born in Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Vir- ginia, February 21, 1752, he removed to Orange County, North Carolina, previous to the Revolution, engaged in mercantile affairs, and was prominent there among those who opposed the arbitrary and tyrannical course of the British Government in its dealings with the American Colonies In 1775, at the beginning of the Revolution, he was chosen a member of the local Committee of Safety, the duties of which, as outlined at the time, were " to promote the revolutionary spirit among the people, procure arms and ammunition, make collections fur the citi- zens of Boston, whose harbor was blockaded by a J i i- i t i — 1 1 licet, and to prevent the sale and use of Hast India tea." The confidence of his neighbors was further shown by his election in the same year to the office of Justice of the Peace and to membership in the first Provincial Convention in North Carolina. Immediately upon the raising of troops he was com- missioned paymaster with the rank of Major. He took the field with the ardor of a true patriot and signalized himself at the outset of his military career by suddenly pouncing upon and capturing a body of one thousand Scotchmen who had been secretly recruited in Cumberland County and were on their way to join the British forces in New York. Within a year he had risen to the rank of Deputy Commissary -General of the Military Forces of North Carolina. Forced by ill health to resign from the army, he was elected to the Legislature of North Carolina and commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of Militia. In 1777 he was commissioned Colonel, be- ing then but twenty-five years of age. Notwith- standing the disturbed state of the country he pushed his business enterprises with great activity, and while the war progressed was engaged in mercantile transactions at Ilillsboro, North Carolina, in Phila- delphia, and at Elizabethtown (Hagerstown), Mary- land. In 1783 he became a resident of the last named place. Popular, energetic and wonderfully versatile, he soon came to the front in his new home and was chosen to numerous positions of honor, trust and responsibility. He was a member of the .Maryland House of Delegates, au Associate Judge of Washington County, Postmaster, Sheriff, and, in 1808, Presidential Elector, casting his vote for James Madison. He was one of the founders and the first President of the Hagerstown Bank, and was active in church affairs and a vestryman of the Episcopal Church. He married Miss Sophia Beatty, daughter of Col. William Beatty, a prominent citizen of Fred- erick, Maryland, and a lineal descendant of John Beatty, whom religious persecution drove from Scotland in the time of the Stuarts, and who settled in America about 1700. Col. Nathaniel Rochester first became interested in New York while passing through the western portion of the State, on a journey to Kentucky, in 1800. The land he purchased at that time was in what was then called the Genesee country. Not liking the locality, he sold out a little later and bought two tracts in Livingston County, one of which, located at Dans- ville, possessed valuable water power. About 1802, in company with Major (afterwards Judge) Charles Carrol and Col. William Fitzhugh, lie purchased the one hundred acre tract at Fallstown, near the Gene- see Falls, the price paid therefor being seventeen and a half dollars per acre. In 1810 he closed his business affairs at Hagerstown and removed to Dansville. He brought with him his entire family and household effects, making the long journey through hundreds of miles of wilderness in carriages and wagons of his own. This difficult and perilous undertaking was fortunately accomplished without accident. One of his first enterprises in the Gene- see country was the erection of a large paper mill. His knowledge of engineering was afforded practi- cal exercise in the work of surveying and laying out the Fallstown or one hundred acre tract into vil- lage lots, which was completed in 1811. The War of 1812 15 interfered with the growth of the settle- ment, but after its close more interest was manifested and its future became fully apparent. When the route of the Erie Canal became a certainty Col. Rochester was an active promoter of the canal pro- ject and was Secretary of the Convention held at Cauandaigua, in 1817, for the purpose of pushing this great enterprise. In that same j'ear the village at the Genesee Falls was incorporated under the name of Rochesterville, in honor of its founder, Col. Rochester, who was then residing at Bloomficld, Ontario County, New York, wdiither he had re- moved in 1815. In the political campaign of 1810 Col. Rochester took an active part and was a Presi- dential Elector on the Monroe ticket, in the State of New York. In 1818 he went to Rochesterville to reside and was instrumental in organizing Monroe County. He was chosen the first Clerk of the county and also the first representative from it to the State Legislature. In every public movement in the county he was a prominent factor. He organized and was the first President of the Bank of Rochester, and was also one of the founders of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, of which he became a Warden. His death, at the age of seventy-nine- years, was mourned as a public calamity. His CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 73 widow and ten of his twelve children survived hiin. Thomas Hart Rochester, the fifth in age of the sur- viving children and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Hagerstowu, Maryland, in 1797. He was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their memorable journey through the wilderness to western New York, and was just en- tering man's estate when the village of Rochester, of which he then became a permanent resident, was founded. He early shared in the various enterprises set on foot by his father and in mature life was one of the leading men of the thriving city of Rochester and actively identified with its principal institutions. He married Miss Phoebe Elizabeth Gumming, daughter of Captain Fortescue dimming, who set- tled in Connecticut in 1785 and who removed to New Orleans in 1800. He died at Rochester in 1874. Thomas Fortescue Rochester, his son, was educated at Geneva College and was graduated from that in- stitution in the class of 1845. His preceptor in medical studies was Dr. H. F. Montgomery, then a skillful practitioner of Rochester. With ample means at his command he pursued his professional studies with every advantage, and in 1848, having taken the prescribed course of medical instruction at the University of Pennsylvania, then ranking as the foremost in the land, he received from that institu- tion the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Following his graduation he spent a year or more as assistant physician at Bellevue Hospital, New York. He went to Europe in 1850 and devoted a year and a half to study and travel, returning before the close of 1851 to America and establishing himself in prac- tice in New York City, becoming also one of the physicians to the Demilt Dispensary. His marked proficiency in his chosen calling attracted the atten- tion of his superiors and colleagues, and led to his being invited, in 1853, to the chair of Principles and Practice of Medicine in the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo. Accepting this Battering invitation he removed at once to Buffalo, and en- tered upon his new duties with great ardor. Shortly afterwards he was chosen Dean of the Faculty. Both of these positions he held during the remain- der of his life. His ability and learning added greatly to the reputation of the College, which, dur- ing his connection with it, rose to the front rank of American schools of medicine. His interest and pride in this institution never failed, and his labors in its behalf were prosecuted with a degree of zeal and intelligence which left nothing to be desired. Dr. Rochester's grasp of medical science was most comprehensive. He had been a careful student and had known how to use his splendid opportunities. He gave special attention to the diseases of the I heart and lungs, it may be said making them a specialty, but never to the exclusion of general practice. Capable and thorough, he rose rapidly to prominence in the profession, and his reputation ex- ! tended far beyond the limits of his practice. He became widely noted as an authority on all affec- tions of the lungs and heart, a specialty in which his friend and colleague of early days in Buffalo — the late Dr. Austin Flint— likewise achieved high distinction. One of his first appointments upon settling in Buf- falo was that of Consulting Physician to the Sisters of Charity Hospital, which he held for thirty years, from 1853 to 1883. He was one of the founders, and also one of the medical staff of the Buffalo Gen- eral Hospital from its inception, and retained his connection with it until his death, serving for some years also as a member of the Board of Trustees. While the Civil War was in progress Dr. Rochester never relaxed his clforts in behalf of the sick and wounded of the Union Army. President Lincoln appointed him to the arduous duty of inspecting the Union Field Hospitals. In this work, which he performed in a most thorough manner and to which i he devoted a great deal of time, he was associated ! with the late Dr. James P. White. The labors of the Sanitary Commission, with which he was for a time connected, received his enthusiastic support and closest attention. In 1848 Dr. Rochester was elected a member of the New York Pathological Society. Upon settling in Buffalo he was elected to membership in the Erie County Medical Society and also in the Medical Association of Buffalo. In 1800 he became President of the latter, and in 18G4 of the former. In 1870 he became a Permanent Member of the New York State Medical Society, and was President of that distinguished body from January, 1875, until June, 1876. In the latter year he was the accredited delegate of the State Society to the International Medical Congress at Philadel- phia. For many years previous to his death he was an honored member of the American Medical Association. In connection witli all these societies, he performed important work in committee. He wrote a series of very interesting articles for the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal on the " His- tory of the Medical Societies of Buffalo." Other productions from his pen are entitled, " The Winter Climate of Malaga," "The Army Surgeon," "The Modern Ilygeia," and " Medical Men and Medical Matters in 1770." He was a frequent contributor to periodical medical literature, and his writings cover a wide range of topics. His style as a writer was graceful, and, whatever the theme, lent it a high degree of interest. Dr. Rochester was a man of varied abilities and ripe scholarship. His profes- 74 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. sional duties called for incessant application, yet lie never became narrowed by his devotion to them. He had a wide range of information, and was both public spirited and progressive. He was a warm friend of education, and took great pleasure in ex- ercising his functions as a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School, upon which lie served from its foundation until his death. He was also a warm friend, and to some extent a patron of art, and was a life member of the Buffalo Acad- emy of Fine Arts, and at one time its President. For many years he was a prominent member of the Buffalo Club, the leading social organization of the city. His activities, as well as his sympathies, ex- tended far beyond the professional horizon, and brought him in contact with nearly all the leading movements of the time. In Christian work lie took a deep interest. He was an active member of Trinity Church (Episcopal), and a sustaining mem- ber of the Young Men's Christian Association of Buffalo, and was extremely liberal in his support of both. In personal appearance lb-. Rochester was a man who would be noticeable in any assemblage. He was of commanding stature and his face wore a kindly smile which was the index of a warm and generous heart. Genial and interesting as a com- panion, generous and faithful as a friend, and learned and diligent in the walks of professional life, he made many warm friends. He possessed in a remarkable degree many of the excellent quali- ties which characterized both his father and grand- father, and although these qualities were exercised in a different sphere of action, they led to the same result, viz.: great personal popularity and general esteem. Dr. Rochester married, May 0. 1852, Miss Margaret Munro, daughter of the Bight Rev. W. H. DeLancey, D.D., D.C.L. Oxon.. first Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York. Six children born to this union, together with their accomplished Christian mother, survive Dr. Rochester. Two of these children are sons : Mr. Nathaniel Rochester, now Cashier of the Third National Bank of Buffalo, and Dr. DeLancey Rochester, prominent among the younger members of the medical profession : and four daughters, viz.: Mrs. C. B. Wheeler, Miss Elizabeth C, Miss Margaret F. and Miss Emily N. Rochester. Dr. Rochester's death was occasioned by Bright's disease, from which he had suffered for a year or more, and took place on the morning of Tuesday, May 24, 1887. His death was regarded as a public loss. The press of Western New York was unstinted in its praise and commendation of the pure life and noble example of the deceased— a priceless legacy to his family and worthy alike of emulation and perpetuation. HILL, JOHN DAVIDSON, M.D., physician and surgeon of Buffalo, New York, was born at Manchester, Ontario County, New York, on the 39th day of April, 1822, the second son of John Hill and Clarissa Fitzgerald. His grandparents on both his paternal and maternal side settled on ad- joining tracts of land on the Gorham and Phelps patent in the early part of this century, his father's family removing thither from Westchester County, New York, and his mother's family from Maryland, near Baltimore. In 1826 his father died, leaving his widow and five children, (two daughters and three sons.) and at his father's request, the subject of this sketch became a member of the family of his mother's brother, Reuben Fitzgerald, with whom he resided until his eighteenth year. Shortly after his father's death, his uncle removed to Michigan, and was the first white settler of Eaton County in that State. At fifteen years of age the practical management of five hundred acres of farming land devolved upon him, and he then displayed execu- tive ability of high order, which has characterized his whole life. But the opportunities for education which Michigan then afforded were very limited, and at the age of seventeen years he returned to Ontario County. New York. For a short time he attended the smaller academies of that vicinity, and then en- tered the Lima Seminary, where he remained nearly four years. Before completing his academical course he had chosen his profession and entered upon the study of medicine and surgery in the of- fice of Dr. Dayton of Lima. At this time the Ge- neva Medical College was one of the foremost medi- cal institutions in this State, and at this institution he matriculated in 1847. In the spring of 184!) he was graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, with which institution many of the Geneva College professors were then con- nected. Buffalo contained no hospital at that time, and ambitious students desirous of clinical experi- ence strove earnestly for the appointment of interne at the county alms-house. In the last year of his collegiate course this appointment was given to him. It was especially desirable that year, as a large num- ber of immigrants at Buffalo were suffering from typhoid fever, or, as it was then called, ship fever, and the county had erected temporary hospitals at the county farm, to which all such patients were sent, whether paupers or not. There was then no resident physician at the alms-house, and the duties that now devolve upon that officer devolved upon the interne. The skill and medical knowledge which he exhibited in this position gave him at once a standing in his profession, and his experience with typhoid fever did much to revolutionize its CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 75 treatment. Fevers were then generally and nearly universally treated by bleeding and purgatives. His observation of the effects of these remedies led him to obtain permission from the visiting physi- cians to reverse the treatment : to stimulate rather than deplete the fever patients; to administer to them brandy, opium and quinine. The effects of this treatment were highly gratifying. The rate of mortality was largely diminished. The visiting physicians adopted his treatment in their private practice. In his graduating thesis he gave the re- sults of his observation and experience with this class of fevers : and the treatment which he had sug- gested and adopted is now almost universally em- ployed. Immediately upon his graduation from the Medical College. Drs. Winne and Pratt, the two visiting physicians at the alms-house while he was interne, gave marked exhibitions of their confidence in his medical skill and knowledge. Dr. Winne, one of the most cultured and educated men in his profession, offered him a partnership in his prac- tice ; and Dr. Pratt, then one of the oldest and largest practitioners in that city, intrusted to him his practice during an absence of several months in Europe. The year after his graduation Dr. Hill was appointed by the Board of Supervisors, Physi- cian to the Erie County Penitentiary, which posi- tion he held for four successive terms. In 1852 cholera visited Buffalo for the second time, and small-pox was epidemic. The city was just recov- ering from that terrible Asiatic scourge which had visited it in 184!). The Common Council elected Dr. Hill Health Physican. and during that year he treated for the city ninety-nine cases of small-pox and varioloid with but one death, and more than one thousand cases of cholera with a low rate of mortality. Two years later the Superintendents of the alms-house urged upon him to become its visit- ing physician, and based their request upon the high rate of mortality that then existed there. No compensation was agreed upon other than that it should not be less than the highest ever o;iven b\- the same institution for similar services. His accep- tance of this position caused an unpleasant incident in his professional life, and one which brought him into direct antagonism with certain members of the Faculty of the Medical College, who were then also the officers of the Erie County Medical Society. Having accepted the position, he was expelled from that society for violating a regulation passed at a special meeting a few weeks before, which prohib- ited any of its members accepting that position up- on other than a fixed salary. No notice was given to him either that such a regulation had been passed | or that he was to be tried for its violation. He took j the matter to the courts, and the action of the society was set aside, the Supreme Court in its written opinion declaring that the persons instrumental in bringing about the action of the society were liable to indictment for their action in this matter. Three years later Dr. Dill resigned his position as such Visiting Physician ; the rate of mortality at the alms- house, as shown by the official reports, having in the meantime diminished more than fifty per cent. After practicing his profession for ten years, Dr. Hill spent several months in Europe attending the lectures and clinics of the eminent men of Paris and London. In the latter city he was among the first to study the use of the ophthalmoscope under Baeder, the pupil of the celebrated German oculist Yon Graffe, whom the London surgeons had secured to instruct them in the use of that instrument and in the internal diseases of the eye. Upon his re- turn to Buffalo he was for many years the only phy- sician who either possessed an ophthalmoscope or understood its use. He performed successfully the first operation in cataract by extraction that was ever performed in Buffalo, and in many instances has been a pioneer in various branches of surgery. While eminently conservative in surgery, he has, nevertheless, never hesitated to follow his deliberate judgment, and in one instance after the patient had been abandoned by an expert in ovariotomy, he re- moved successfully the largest ovarian tumor that had ever been .successfully removed in that city. Dr. Hill has always occupied a high position as a physician and surgeon, and has kept in the front rank of bis profession as shown by the following extract from an address to the Erie County Medical Society, January 8, 1889, upon his retiring from its Presidency : "Allow me to mention one or two cases in my own practice simply as illustrating the great prog- ress that has been made during the period under discussion. In ISoO, before antiseptics were known, as such, either in medicine or surgery, I was called to attend a patient who had received a compound comminuted fracture of the tibia and fibula in the upper part of the lower third of the leg. Amputa- i tion was then the only recognized method of treat- J ment in such injuries. The patient refused to allow amputation, but consented to any other treatment, which I might advise. Without 'the least expecta- tion of saving the limb, I made a vertical incision above and below the wound made by the protrud- ing bones; dissected out the numerous specula 3 of crushed bones, sawed off the splintered ends of the tibia and fibula, leaving a space of one and seven- eights inch without bone. The limb was placed in a box with foot-rest, and instead of the then usual water dressing, equal parts of alcohol and water were applied. The wound healed without suppuration, and in the course of a few months we had a good and useful limb. 76 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. "This antedates by several years the publications | of Paf whom he afterwards maintained a pleasant correspondence. Dr. Gay was pre-eminently a medical man and so thoroughly devoted to his chosen life work that lie would never permit anything whatever to interfere with its duties or its claims upon his attention and service. To his profession he freely gave the best that was in him. and always with the unselfishness which characterizes the true scientist. He won not only success but fame, and for many years preced- ing his death he was one of the acknowledged lead- ers in the medical profession of Western New York. But although so wrapped up in professional work lie was not neglectful of his plain duty in other re- gards. He loved the city of his adoption and took a pride in serving its interests and promoting its welfare. He held a high social position and his op- portunities were frequent for helping his fellow- citizens. His influence was a power and was al- ways wielded for good. His interest in the cause of higher education was marked and he sought to promote it on all occasions. In church work he was prominent as a member of the Central Presby- terian Church of Buffalo, and to every movement having for its object the advancement of the moral welfare of the city of Buffalo he gave careful atten- tion, earnest support and liberal assistance. Dr. Gay married in January, 1854, Miss Sarah A. Tifft, daughter of the late George Washington Tifft, one of the oldest and most respected among the citizens of Buffalo. Their married life was of a happy character, and together they accomplished in good deeds enough to have made them famous could but a portion of it be told. For more than a year pre- ceding his death Dr. Gay was in poor health, which had its origin in a sickness contracted while in the discharge of Ids duty at the General Hospital. For several months he was quite ill at home. Being ad- vised to take a trip to Europe he did so, returning in the fall comparatively well. On his return he was given a reception and banquet by the faculty of the Niagara Medical School. Soon after his return he became again seriously ill, and after a painful ill- ness of several weeks, he died as previously stated. Though impressed with the hopelessness of his re- covery he maintained throughout his illness a cheer- ful mood, "and frequently proclaimed his faith in God and his adherence to the Christian principles which had been his guide for many years." His es- teemed wife and an adopted sou survive him. In the professional and social circles which he had graced so many years his death was felt as a deep personal loss. The people of the city of Buffalo mourned him as one of their most eminent fellow- citizens. On all sides tribute was paid to his great worth as a physician, a citizen and a man. " Kind- ness and charity " — said one Buffalo journal — •■ were the marked characteristics of Dr. Gay, and through all his dealings with his f ellow-practitioners and patients, they shone as a bright light illumina- ting his path. In the defence of right, the doctor has struck many a powerful blow. Not a few un- scrupulous persons in this city can testify to the weight of that strong right arm of his when wielded to defend the right and to uphold a true principle. His charity and power of forgiving were not less than his strength in the defence of right." The several societies to which he belonged formally ex- pressed their grief at his loss. The language in which the virtues and merits of the deceased were set forth was superlatively warm and indicated the depth of feeling of those employing it. Esteem, af- fection and regret were the keynotes of each me- morial, and in view of the high character of Dr. Gay, his devotion to science, his love for his fellow- creatures, and his pure and helpful life, no tribute paid seemed too strong. He was above all things a physician, and the estimate of his medical life and personal character contained in the memorial adopted by his associates of the Erie County Medi- cal Society, may be deemed the most appropriate to close this imperfect sketch. It is as follows : " Dr. Gay was not of the ordinary stamp of med- ical men. He had far more than the average cul- ture of those aspiring to the honors of the profes- sion, and far higher ideas of the mission of medicine to mankind than is common with us. The ideal for CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 33 which he earnestly strove was to achieve all that is possible as to the knowledge of disease and injuries, and then to bring to bear the best resources already known or possible to be known for their abatement or amelioration ; this beiug the ultimate end of the healing art, so far as suffering humanity is con- cerned. "Our deceased friend could abide a severer test — the only test and adequate estimate and test of the medical man, viz : that of his fellows and asso- ciates in the same field, and with whom he came in daily contact in professional work. Weighed in this balance — the only one which commanded his re- spect, or for which he cared — our departed friend was not found wanting. His exceptional ability as a surgeon was recognized far and near by his co- laborers, who could appreciate bis merits. ' His del- icate sense of honor towards his professional asso- ciates ; his scrupulous regard for the feelings and interests of those who, in the vicissitudes and anxi- eties of professional life, came in contact with him, in consultation and otherwise, won their perpetual regard and esteem. " We have yet to hear, after an association with him extending over a third of a century, of the first lisp of dissent to this professional universal acclaim in his behalf. " Your committee can but consider this as the only crucial test of the practitioner of medicine and surgery. Our deceased brother grandly stood this test, and upon this rock his fame rests. No roots nor seeds of bitterness or of unpleasantness can ever find place in our memories of him. We un- feignedly deplore his loss as a brother beloved and gone before to the reward of the just." ITTILLIAMS, GIBSON T., a prominent citizen and Uy leading financier of Buffalo, President of the II Erie County Savings Bank, and actively con- nected with varied business interests in that count}' for more than half a century, was born in Charles- town, New Hampshire, January 15. 1813. He is descended from patriotic ancestors, who, during the Revolutionary War, took an active part in repelling British power and founding the Republic. Benja- min W illiams, his grandfather, a sturdy son of New Hampshire. " was Orderly-Sergeant in Captain Town's company in the Second New Hampshire Regiment, of which Reed was Colonel; and he did valiant duty at the battle of Bunker Hill, where his company had the post of honor." Isaiah Williams, son of this brave New Hampshire patriot, and father of the subject of this sketch, was himself a native of the '• Granite State," and a farmer by occupation. When his boy Gibson was about eleven years old he moved from Charlestown into Franklin County, Ver- mont, and there the young lad took his initial les- sons in farming. Nothing of special moment varied the monotony of his labors until he was sixteen years of age, when he was accorded the high and valued privilege of attending one term at the St. Albans' Academy. This term covered the greater portion of one year, and was the means of laying broad and deep the foundations of his excellent education. The change from the farm to the Acad- emy was a great one, but the return lo the plough after becoming possessed of all that could be ac- quired at the Academy by a diligent student — even in the brief space of one term — a much greater and scarcely to be thought of. His fitness for mercan- tile life was so apparent that his desire to enter it was encourged rather than opposed, and at ^even- teen years of age he found a position in a store at St. Albans', where he remained until he was twenty. The limited possibilities of the place, so far as he was concerned, being now exhausted, he deter- mined to push out into other fields. Universal re- port indicated the West as the proper place for am- bitious young men to try their mettle. Young Wil- liams was now perfectly familiar with the methods of business and he had saved a little money from his earnings. With hope in his heart he set out for Buffalo, making the journey by lake, rail and stage to Schenectady, where he found the Erie canal open to the traveling public, and then the only means of reaching his destination. The journey from this point occupied seven days. On reaching Buffalo, then regarded as beiug in the "far west," the young traveler put up at the Eagle tavern, then the principal hotel in the place, and without delay sal- lied out in search of employment. His appearance was decidedly in his favor, and the task did not prove difficult. A hardware merchant engaged his services, and with him he remained until the fol- lowing April. At this time (1834) Messrs. Kimberly & Waters kept a famous ship-chandlery and grocery on the dock, and, appreciating young Williams' business qualities, offered him a situation, which he accepted. With the prudence and prevision which have always been among his chief characteristics, he laid away a goodly portion of his earnings every month, wisely resolving to be prepared, so far as capital was concerned, for any opportunity which might arise. In February, 1837, this opportunity came through the reorganization of the firm, one of the principals retiring. Mr. Williams was now ad- mitted to the concern, which took the style of H. C. Atwater & Co. A little later another change oc- curred, and Mr. Williams rose to the second place in the firm, which then became Atwater & Williams. The business of the firm had now grown very large and profitable, greater in amount than that of all the other ship-chandlers put together ; and not only were ships and vessels of every description fur- nished with the ordinary supplies, but they were also 8 4 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. fitted out with rigging, anchors and chains. In January, 1841, Mr. Rufus L. Howard, previously a trusted clerk, was taken into partnership. In 1845 Mr. Atwater died, and Messrs. Williams »fe Howard, who continued the business, took in as partner Mr. George L. Newman. After this arrangement had been in force five years Mr. Williams retired. He devoted a good part of the year 1 85 ") to settle up the old business affairs, and in the spring of 1851 en- tered into a partnership with Mr. Henry Hoop, and. purchasing land at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Virginia Street, built the lead works which are still in active operation on that site. In 1852 the firm of Roop and Williams admitted Mr. Peter C. Cornell, of Brooklyn, to partnership, and was at once chartered as a corporation under the title of the Niagara White Lead Company. Before the ex- piration of the year Mr. Roop retired from the busi- ness. The remaining partners conducted the busi- ness profitably until 1861, when Mr. Williams dis- posed of his interest to Mr. Cornell. At this date the whole country was in a terrible state of agita- tion. The Civil War hail broken out and the busi- ness community was about equally divided between hopes and fears. Owners of capital, not recognizing at first the great chances for enterprise afforded by its exigencies, became strangely conservative. Fi- nances were in consequence so greatly affected that the depositors in banks took alarm, and in many in- stances withdrew their money so as to have it safe in the event of any commercial catyclysm. The Clinton Bank of Buffalo, one of the soundest in t lie city, and of which Mr. Williams was President, was one of the first to suffer from this disturbed state of the public mind: and by a vote its stockholders re- solved to close up its affairs. All depositors and shareholders were paid in full, but the sequel proved that although they saved the value of their shares and deposits they lost a great opportunity for making money. In 1862 Mr. Williams, in asso- ciation with the late Dean Richmond and others, or- ganized the Western Insurance Company of Buffalo. TJpon its incorporation Mr. Richmond became Presi- dent and Mr. Williams Vice President. On the death of the former, in 1866, Mr. Williams was chosen Presi- dent. This company was managed with great energy and judgment, and did an immense business, reach- ing out over the great lakes, and to all parts of the country. But the Chicago fire of 1871 swept it out of existence. It was a loss that no business judg- ment could have provided against, and Mr. Wil- liams suffered proportionately with all others affec- ted. Mr. Williams' high standing in mercantile and financial circles had drawn him into a number of corporations, all of which have derived marked ad- vantages from his counsel and assistance. He was a director in the old Mutual Insurance Company of Buffalo, and also in the City Insurance Company and the Buffalo Fire and Marine Insurance Com- pany. He was for some years a Director in the Buf- falo and Erie Railroad Company, and in the Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad Company, and at the time of the consolidation of the lines now forming the Lake Shore Road held nearly every proxy for the Buffalo ami Erie division and cast the vote which accomplished the purpose. As a financier Mr. Wil- liams has a reputation second to that of no other business man in Buffalo. His experience in mone- tary affairs may be said to have begun in 1854 when he was chosen First Vice-President of the Erie Coun- ty Savings Bank, then just organized, and of which he was one of the founders and incorporators. Mr. Williams is now the President of this institution, which has thirty-five thousand depositors and near- ly sixteen million dollars of assets, a larger sum than any bank in the State of New York west of the Hud- son River. Its surplus, which now (1800) exceeds two and a half million dollars, is larger than that of any bank outside of the cities of New York and Brooklyn; while its securities are almost absolutely perfect in their character. To achieve this brilliant success Mr. Williams has labored with unflagging zeal. Beginning at the very inception of the institu- tion he, with another, personally became responsible for the salary of the capable treasurer then employed — Mr. Cyrus P. Lee. By every honorable means at his command he has built up and strengthened it ; and believing that family and individual thrift is at the foundation of sound prosperity and national great- ness, he takes the greatest pride in his magnificent achievement. The noble institution, of which he is the capable and honored head, is peacefully and silently accomplishing more for the community and for the nation at large than hundreds of so-called philanthropies which foster dependence rather than that independence which is at the bottom of all prog- ress. Other financial institutions in which Mr. Williams has long been interested, and in which he is a Director, are the Bank of Buffalo, the Manu- facturers' and Traders' Bank, and the Bank of Ni- agara. He was at one time a Director in Wliite's Bank, when Mr. George C. White was its President. He is also a Director in the Buffalo Gas Company, and in the Mutual Gas Company. When the Buf- falo Board of Trade was organized in 1844 he was one of the incorporators, and for many years served in the Board of Directors. He has always been an investor in real estate, and is now a large owner of valuable city property and considered one of the highest authorities on its value. Wild schemes CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 85 framed purely for speculative purposes have never I engaged his attention, his methods being grounded in conservatism and almost invariably profitable as well as safe. No better proof of his ability and hon- esty in the discharge of a public trust could be af- forded than his just appraisement of the land taken for the Buffalo Park, a labor in which he had as colleagues two gentlemen of equally high character and scarcely inferior judgment, Colonel Bird and Mr. Albert Haller Tracy. The awards made by this board were alike satisfactory to those whose lands were taken and to those— the citizens of Buf- falo — who paid for them. To enumerate all the en- terprises in which Mr. "Williams has taken a per- sonal part, or in which he has co-operated by money contributions or subscriptions, would be to recall nearly every laudable and important project under- taken in Buffalo during the last fort} - years. His connection with the business development of the city is not second in its importance to that of any man living, and is as varied and useful almost as it is possible to imagine. He has employed his wealth liberally and beneficially in fostering all improve- | ments, and in encouraging and building up useful industries. He has built many buildings, and is now the owner of many r of thorn and of fine stores as well. In 1851 he was associated with Mr. Rufus L. Howard in building the Howard Iron Works. Years ago he was the owner of many vessels, both sailing and steam, in some of which he is still inter- ested. His name is known over a wide expanse of territory as that of one of Buffalo's most energetic business men and most honorable citizens. But his achievements have not been limited to the field of business. The Buffalo Library, one of the institu- tions in which the whole people take a just pride, is largely indebted to him for its very existence. As far hack as 1845 he was President of the Young Men's Association, out of which the institution de- veloped, and it was his vigorous efforts which then i raised from it a burden of debt, which was slowly- but surely crushing out its life. After putting it on a paying basis he carefully watched and aided it un- til its prosperity and future were assured. In works of true philanthropy Mr. Williams has not been be- hind any of his compeers. To the Charity Organi- zation he has been a frequent and liberal contribu- tor : also to the Orphan Asylum and to the General Hospital. He contributed liberally to the funds of the Young Men's Association when it purchased its Main Street property, and his aid has been freely given to assist a number of other worthy institu- tions and charities. Mr. Williams gratified his de- sire for foreign travel and at the same time gave himself a much-needed relaxation by visiting Eu- rope in 1867-68, spending eight months on the trip, and seeing the greater part if not all of what inter- ests the traveling public. He returned from this sojourn abroad greatly invigorated in health, and with many pleasing recollections of his foreign ex- periences, but with an undiminished appreciation of his own country, and with a firmly settled con- viction that whatever conclusion others might ar- rive at, his was that, for him at least, there was no place like his cherished city of Buffalo. A man of the strictest integrity, whose life has been devoted to useful labors, whose whole heart is engaged in working for the welfare of the community no less than his own, Mr. Williams occupies a most envia- ble place in the public esteem. His friends are limited to no circle, and both acquaintances and friends unite in wishing him every joy and happi- ness. He married, in 1841, Miss Harriet C. How- ard, of Herkimer County, New York, and in the following year took up his abode in a house on the very site occupied by his present elegant home, which was built in 1861. Of the children born to this marriage, there are now living Mr. Charles H. Williams, Mr. - George L. Williams, and Miss Martha T. Williams. RAMSDELL. ORRIN P.. one of the oldesl and most respected business men of Buffalo, and prominent in mercantile and financial circles in that city for more than half a century, was born at Mansfield, Connect4cut, July 19, 1811, and died at his home on Delaware Ave., Buffalo, July 16, 1889. His parents were of Scotch descent and from them he inherited the qualities so characteristic of that nationality. From his earliest days he was brought up in the principles of frugality, industry and hon- esty, and his regard for them opened the way to for- tune when he became an independent agent. His youth was >pent under his parents' roof amid the best and most helpful influences. His education was ob- tained in the village school of Mansfield, which he left at sixteen and entered business life in a subordin- ate capacity in a large dry goods store in New York City. After a few months' experience he became convinced that success in mercantile life was not to be attained by working for other men, and having a good reputation and good connections he found no difficulty in borrowing a thousand dollars, with which he engaged in business on his own account, opening a retail boot and shoe store in New London, Connecticut. To the older and more conservative business men in that locality the venture seemed a most unwarranted one. Its Tailure was openly pre- 86 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. dieted. But a shrewd and energetic young man was pushing the new enterprise and within a year after it had been launched the general store keepers in New Loudon concluded it was unnecessary to carry boots and shoes in their stock, as the public seemed to prefer purchasing this line of goods at Mr. Rams- dell's store, where the variety was greater and the j prices lower. Influenced by the spirit of unrest j which then prevailed so largely among the young men of New England and which was so powerful a | factor in the development of the new West, Mr. Ramsdell sold out his business in New London about 1835, and selecting Buffalo as the seat of his future j operations, removed to that almost frontier settle- ment and opened there a tine boot and shoe store, the first in the place. The business prospered from the start, and its enterprising founder soon branched out into the wholesale trade which also, under his able management, proved a perfect success. With increasing prosperity and largely augmented capi- tal — the latter the natural outcome and increment of bold but shrewd endeavor — the young merchant looked about him for other fields of enterprise. Railroads were then in their infancy, but in them Mr. Ramsdell discerned glorious opportunities. His investments in this direction were large for that early day, and were most fortunate. They had in them also a degree of boldness, for this class of property had not then acquired anything like tike importance and popularity it enjoys at the present day. In the remarkable development of Buffalo as a railroad j centre he took a prominent part and as his wealth increased he invested it liberally in new lines both east and west. He lived to see his native land the possessor of nearly as great a railroad mileage as that of all the rest of the world put together (about j one hundred and thirty-five thousand miles in the United States as against oneMiundred and seventy-five thousand miles elsewhere), and at the time of his death he was interested in several prosperous roads and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo and Southwestern Railroad. Mr. Ramsdell also I made extensive investments in real estate on the water-front, and in connection with others (he being the prime mover) built the Erie basin elevator. This was a most profitable venture, and the property after having been in successful operation for several years was sold at a large advance on its cost. These and many other interests in which he invested largely were managed by him with that unfailing sagacity which was, perhaps, his strongest business charac- teristic. In fact it is not known that he ever made an investment which was not wise and did not prove I remunerative. When the growth of the mercantile interests of Buffalo rendered necessary greater bank- ing facilities he was quick to perceive the need and prompt in taking steps to meet it, aiding in found- ing the Manufacturers' and Traders' Bank of Buffalo, of which he became a large stockholder. He also held stock in several other local banks. Always an enterprising and public spirited business man, his activity was helpful in a great variety of ways in promoting the material welfare of the city; and the general public, appreciating his worth, always held him in high esteem. He outlived nearly all of his early compeers, being at the time of his death one of a very small number of the surviving business men of half a century ago. Among his most intimate friends were the late Silas H. Fish, of excellent memory, and also Richard J. Sherman, recently deceased. Mr. Ramsdell took a hearty interest in the work of the charitable institutions of Buffalo, and in his modest and unassuming way aided it liberally. He was strongly opposed to having his good deeds made public and in many instances his gifts were bestowed even without the knowledge of his closest friends. His desire was to do good, not to gain notoriety. One of his favorite institutions was the Buffalo General Hospital, of which he was a trustee for many years, and to which at his death he left the sum of three thousand dollars. The Buffalo Orphan Asylum also received much assist- ance from him while he lived, and a bequest of one thousand dollars by his will. Mr. Ramsdell was a regular attendant for many years of the North Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, of which he was a trustee, and to the benevolent and religious work of which lie was a constant and liberal contributor. For a long time he served on the music committee of this congregation, and his personal efforts and con- tributions did a great deal to promote the cause of good church music. In whatever he did outside of his business, whether for public enterprise or private charities, religious, benevolent or educational work, he was earnest, generous and modest, having no other desire than that of doing his full duty as a good citizen and a conscientious Christian. He con- tinued in his various activities with unabated inter- est and vigor down to within two years of his death, an event which occurred a few days preceding the close of his seventv-eiirhth year. Personally he was a modest and unassuming gentleman. He was fond of books and a diligent reader. He delighted in music and was an intelligent and competent musical critic. In all the relations of life he acquitted him- self well, commanding universal esteem. In his home life he found his chief pleasure ; and the memory of his unwearied affection and devotion will be cherished by his family as their choicest treasure. Mr. Ramsdell married, in 1851, Miss Anna C. Titus, CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 87 of Brooklyn, N. Y. Nine children blessed this union, five of whom, together with his esteemed widow, survive him. The children are Mr. Thomas T. Ramsdell — one of the most prominent of the younger generation of merchants in Buffalo, and a member of the great wholesale and manufacturing house of O. P. Ramsdell, Sweet & Co. — Belle C. (Mrs. E. A. Bell), AnnaK. (Mrs. W. S. Allen. ) Clara C. and Evelyn. DOBBINS, CAPTAIN DANIEL, U. S.N.. most prominently and actively identified with the early history of the Great Lakes, a leading pio- neer in the important business of lake navigation and transportation, and distinguished for his con- spicuous, heroic and intrepid services in the War of 1812-15, was born on the banks of the "blue Juni- ata," at Lewistown, Mifflin County. Pennsylvania, on the da} - following the Declaration of Indepen- dence — July 5, 1776. In his nature were combined the physical hardiness and strong mental integrity which characterized the founders of the Republic, and throughout his long, active and useful life, which terminated in 1856, he remained a brilliant and inspiring example of the sturdy patriotism of its early days. In 1800, after having borne during five years an active part in the labor of establishing a settlement at Erie, Pennsylvania, he proceeded to the Southern part of the State and married Miss Mary West, of Carlisle, whom he brought mi horse- back through the unbroken wilderness from Wash- ington County to his home in Erie, Pennsylvania. In the same year he began his lake service as captain and part owner of the schooner Harlequin and con- tinued in this career with decided success until the opening of the War of 1812-15, owning and success- fully commanding at different times the "Good In- tent," "Ranger," "Wilkinson" and "Salina." The last named vessel under his command was actively engaged in transporting salt from Schlosser, at the head of the "Niagara Falls portage" on the upper Niagara River to Dunkirk, Erie, Cleveland, San- dusky and other upper lake ports for distribution 1>\ means of wagon portage to the rivers in the South. Its return cargoes were of skins, furs, etc., for the Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies, in transit for an eastern market. On July 17, 1812, while lying at anchor at Mackinaw, loaded with furs valued at over two hundred thousand dollars, the "Salina" was surprised and captured by a Britisli fleet of gunboats. At the same time the fort ■on the island surrendered to a superior force of British and Indians. As news of the declaration of war by Great Britian had not then reached this sec- tion, the Americans were taken by surprise and un- prepared. Captain Dobbins refusing to accept parole, his vessel was made a cartel — her cargo having been removed by the British— and with the schooner I "Mary," was despatched under his command for the Canadian port of Maiden. In the Detroit River both vessels were captured by General Hull, then in command of the forces at Detroit. When Hull sur- rendered, August 16, 1812, they fell again into the hands of the British, but during the capitulation and aided by the " mystic tie of Masonry" Captain Dob- bins managed to make his escape in disguise to the Canada side of the river. After a series of trying adventures — a price being set upon his head and the Indians upon his trail — he succeeded in making his way across the country to the head of Lake Erie, which he crossed in an Indian canoe to Sandusky Bay. Proceeding thence on horseback through the wilderness to Cleveland, he took an open sail-boat and finally reached Erie in safety, where he reported the loss of Mackinaw and Detroit to General Mead, by whom he was at once sent on horseback as bearer of dispatches to the National Government at Wash- ington. President Madison received the intrepid messenger most cordially, invited him to join a cabi- net meeting at which the question of lake defense and protection was discussed, and Captain Dobbins' views and suggestions were requested and were re- ceived with attention. When he left Washington he bore with him a commission as master in the U. 8. Navy and was furnished with means and charged with the task of beginning the construction of a fleet for the defence of the lakes. With the celerity of movement which was always one of his leading characteristics, he returned to Erie, and began the work of felling with his own hands the first tree of standing timber for building t lie fleet. Securing the services of an old and skilled shipwright, named Ebcnezer Crosby, and engaging for the work all the wood and iron workers he could find, he proceeded with the task in hand and had actually laid the keels and got in frame two fine gunboats— the "Porcu- pine "and "Tigress" — before relieved by the force of ship carpenters from New York and the ranking naval officers sent to continue the work. Lieu- tenant-Commander (afterwards Commodore) Perry had then arrived and was in command at Erie, and, joining him, Captain Dobbins took a prominent part in all the subsequent naval operations in that region, rendering his gallant superior invaluable services in the famed fleet with which he won the battle of Lake Erie. In this fleet Captain Dobbins had command of the fast sailing schooner gunboat "Ohio." and being familiar with the navigation of the whole 88 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. chain of lakes, was kept constantly employed by Perry in reconnoitering, scout, supply and other perilous duty. While he was away on one of these expeditions, although not beyond sound of the can- nonading, the memorable battle of Lake Erie was fought, September 10, 1813. In the naval operations for the reduction of Fort Mackinaw and the British Naval Depot at Penetangueshein in 1814, prosecuted under Sinclair, who succeeded Perry in command of the American Meet. Captain Dobbins took a promi- nent part, a portion of his duty being the guidance and piloting of the American fleet. During all his service Captain Dobbins was distinguished for his high sense of duty and moral as well as physical courage. His intrepidity was only equalled by his patriotism, which burned like a pure name in his breast, and seemed to render him at all times and under all circumstances insensible to hardships, ex- posure and dangers. When peace was declared he was permitted to hold his commission in the D. S. Navy, and as there was nothing left to do in the way of public service he re-entered the merchant marine, taking command of the schooner " Wash- ington " with which he engaged in the transporta- tion of troops and supplies for the armies of the Western frontier. In 181G he entered Green Bay with his vessel, transporting troops, arms and sup- plies for the fort at the head of the bay. His vessel was the first craft larger than an open boat that had ever entered the bay, and the channel had to be buoyed out in advance. The harbors and islands found in the bay were named after the vessel and offcers of the expedition— " Washington Harbor," " Boyer's Bluff." "Chambers' Island," "Green Island" and "Dobbins' Group," the latter now known as Strawberry Islands. In 1826 he resigned from the navy and entered the engineer service in the construction of the harbor pier improvements at Erie. Pennsylvania, and Ashtabula. Ohio. In 1829 President Jackson appointed him a captain in the Revenue Marine Service. For some years he commanded the Revenue Cutter " Richard Rush" and later the Revenue Cutter "Erie" on the Great Lakes, and "Taney" on the seacoast. He retired from active service in 1849 and died at Erie, in 1850. aged eighty-one. His widow survived him twenty- three years, dying at Erie, in 1879, at the ripe old age of one hundred years. They had ten children — viz: Elizabeth, Mary Anne. William West, Susan Jane, Elenor Matilda, Eliza Matilda, Stephen Deca- tur, David Porter, Leander and Marcus Daniel — of whom Eliza Matilda (widow of Captain John Flee- harty) of Erie, Pennsylvania, David Porter, of Buf- falo, New York, and Leander, of Erie, Pennsylva- nia, are the only survivors. DOBBINS, CAPTAIN DAVID PORTER, a prom- inent citizen of Buffalo, actively connected for many years with the Merchant Marine, United States Revenue Marine and also with the marine insurance business of the Great Lakes, and, since 1876. Superintendent of the Ninth District of the United States Life-Saving Service, and widely known as the inventor of the Dobbins Life Boat, was born at Erie, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1817. He inherited his predilection for maritime pursuits from his father. Captain Daniel Dobbins, U.S.N, whose biography precedes this. He was the third son of this worthy sire and was educated at the Erie Academy. More to please his parents than himself he engaged as an apprentice in the cabinet making trade, but, as it soon became evident that he had no taste for this calling and that all his youthful feelings and desires pointed to a career on the water, he was wisely permitted to enter his true vocation. He received his first lesson on ship- board on the steamer William Penn, commanded by Captain Wight, in 1833: following on the schooner T. W. Maurice, the United States revenue cutter "Erie," the schooner " Buffalo," commanded by Captain Asa E. Hart, and the brig "Indiana." under Captain "Buck" Burnett. In 1837 he bought the schooner Marie Antoinette, built by Au- gusta Jones at Sandusky, hauled her out at Erie, rebuilt her and changed her name to " Nick Biddle," in honor of the famous banker of Philadelphia. He kept her in active service for several years, and rinaily sold her in 1840 to H. M. Kinne, Esq., of Buffalo. In 1842, after a year's absence from the lakes, he took command of the schooner Henry Norton at Cleveland. In 1843 and '44 he com- manded the William Woodbridge. In 1845, '0 and '7 he commanded the schooner Emily, of which he was the owner : and in 1848 the steamer Lexington. In 1849 he was associated with several others in building the steam-propellor Troy, and on comple- tion took command and sailed her in the Chicago trade until 1851. Selling out his interest in lake craft he engaged in the marine insurance business in Buffalo in 1852. and in May in the following year moved his family to that city, which has re- mained his home since that date. Besides his ex- perience on the lakes Captain Dobbins has had considerable experience at sea. it being his custom for several years to ship for winter cruises to the Gulf ports and the West Indies. From his earliest years upon the lakes, Captain Dobbins had not only taken great interest in rescue work and life- saving, but had himself been instrumental in saving many lives and a vast amount of property from shipwreck, and in connection with these deeds, as CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 8 9 well as his calling, was known from one cud of the lakes to the other. He had been living in Buffalo but a few months when an incident occurred which not only proved the stuff he was made of but was happily the means of directing public attention to the necessity for founding a government life saving service upon the Great Lakes. On the stormy night of the third of October, 1853, the schooner Oneida was sunk off Point Abiuo, Canada. Vessels coming into the port of Buffalo next morning re- ported that a vessel lay sunk to the bottom with a dozen feet or so of her mastheads out of water off Point Abino, and several men lashed thereto. A lit- tle later another vessel arrived and reported that but three survivors were clinging to the masts. Later still, another vessel came in with the news that only one man was clinging to the wreck. The incoming vessels had been unable to go to their relief. There was great excitement in Buffalo. In vain were steamers' captains urged to put out to the wreck. Finally Captain Dobbins organized a volunteer crew, including Captain Eugene Newman, Cap- tain Gunning, Captain Glass, and other masters of vessels. They loaded a "Francis metallic" life-boat on wheels, and with four horses hauled it to the Black Rock Ferry, crossed the Niagara, and then landed on the Canada side, when a rough and fa- tiguing twelve mile tramp was made along the shore to Point Abino. The wreck was some miles off shore, the weather exceeding]}- boisterous and surf and sea fearfully heavy. The boat was launched, with great difficulty, and after a hard pull reached the sunken wreck through great peril, and rescued and returned to shore again with one half-dead survivor. A night was spent at Point Abino for rest. So heavy was the work of hauling the boat along shore that two horses were killed. The citizens of Buffalo presented to Captain Dob- bins and each of his comrades a valuable gold watch, suitably engraved. In I860 Captain Dobbins again distinguished himself by the rescue of the crew of the schooner Comet, ashore near Buffalo. He saved the crew, but the Government Francis' metallic life-boat which he was bondsman for and used for the first time was dashed to pieces. The American life saving service, which had its origin in the labors of the Massachusetts Humane Society, founded in 1T8G, made but slow progress until 1848. when the Hon. William A. Newell, of New Jersey, secured an appropriation of #10,000 from Congress " for providing surf boats and other appliances for the protection of life and property from shipwreck ou the coast between Sandy Hook and Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey." At the next session of Con- gress a still larger appropriation was obtained, and from time to time subsequently, additional appro- priations, including those for forty-eight Francis metallic life-boats furnished to bonded volunteer crews on the Great Lakes in 1854 and 1855, but not until 1871 was any attempt made to organize a paid service with well-drilled and disciplined crews. In 187G, the regular service having been extended to the lakes, Captain Dobbins was commissioned Superintendent of the Ninth District of the United States Life Saving Service, comprising the coasts of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and the Falls of the Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky, along which have been established ten first class life saving stations. To this most congenial service the Captain has ever since devoted himself heart and soul. From first to last his experiences on the water have been truly remarkable, and include the most thrilling and dan- gerous situations in which a boat or crew could possibly be placed, both in storm and calm. On more than one occasion his boat has been swamped, capsized or suffered other disaster, and he picked up for dead. While in the marine insurance business Captain Dobbins competed on the Erie Canal for the one hundred thousand dollar prize offered by the State of New York in 1875 for the best steam canal boat. The steamer " William Newman" entered by him, lost the first prize in the contest "through the fraudulent trick of pickling her coal with brine, played by some of the competitors. Notwithstand- ing this he was awarded the second prize and made the passage through the canal from Albany to Buf- falo in the \mprecedented and so far unequaled time of four days. Subsequent to this the Captain served a period of two years as Superintendent and Manager of the Baxter Steam Canal Boat Company, which maintained a line of sixteen steamers be- tween New York and Buffalo. At an early period in his life-saving career he turned his attention to the improvement of life-boats and other life-saving appliances, and after many years of patient study and experience produced what is known as the " Dobbins self-righting, self-bailing, aud insubmer- gible life-boat," for ship and shore use. Strongly built, weighing only from ten to fifteen hundred pounds, it can be carried with ease on a suitable transport launchiug-wagon along the shore, and launched through the heaviest surf with certainty and perfect security. If swung at a ship's davits it may be dropped into the sea in safety by suitable detaching apparatus, with a full complement of passengers and crew on board : or in cases of sud- den emergency, it can be pitched from the deck without the aid of davits or tackle, and being self- righting, self-bailing and insubmergible, will at once emerge ready to carry out of danger thirty or forty go CONTEMPORARY BIOQRAPHY OF NEW YORK. people, or even in an exigency sustain for the time being at least one hundred persons. One of its marked advantages over all other life-boats is that it cannot be injuriously stove below the water line, the hold being completely filled with waterproof sheets of cork, set either vertically or horizontally, tree-nailed together, and fastened to the hull, form- ing a continuous solid mass. As there are practi- cally no spaces or interstices of any kind in this mass of buoyant ballast, the boat cannot fill with water, swamp or founder. Even were the outer sheathing of plank to be torn completely away, the buoyant ballast within, rivetted together and to the hull, as it is, would still form a life buoy, of but lit- tle less carrying capacity than the hull alone. Commissions, officers and experts, American and foreign, have repeatedly examined and tested the Dobbins life-boat, and the general opinion is that it j is the most perfect life-boat attainable. As the of- ficial head of his District in the Life Saving Service Captain Dobbins is a thorough officer. Under- , standing well the requirements of those competent i for duty in this most important branch of govern- ment work, he tolerates none in his department save he be up to the full demands of his place. lie is as fearless in the expression of his honest opinion as he is in the discharge of his official duties. Aside from the stern demands of duty he is a kind- hearted man, generous and genial by nature, and neyer happier than when engaged in some good work. Since he has become a resident of Buffalo that city has developed into one of the leading communities of this State, and ranks next to Chi- cago as the most important shipping point for grain, coal. &c, on the Great Lakes. Captain Dob- bins' strong personality is a potent force in many directions, and is always thrown on the side of right and justice and in favor of whatever tends to the general welfare. The Captain has long been an active member, vestryman and now warden of Trinity Episcopal Church of Buffalo. He is like- wise a lifelong member of Hiram Lodge, F. «fc A.M. and a life member of the Young Men's Association, now the Buffalo Library Association, Buffalo His- torical Society,* Buffalo Fine Arts Academy and Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. For some years he was also a member of the Mechanics Insti- tute and the Buffalo Board of Trade. In 1840 he married Miss Mary Richards, eldest daughter of the late Captain John Richards of Erie, Pennsylvania, a prominent shipbuilder and one of those that built Perry's fleet. This estimable lady died in 1855. He has two children : a son, John R. Dobbins, who served with distinction in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment. New York Volunteers, during the late Civil War ; and now a prominent " citrous" fruit-grower in San Gabriel, Southern California ; and an accomplished and esteemed daughter, Anna, now Mrs. James P. White, whose husband is a son of the late Prof. James P, White, M.D., of Buffalo, New York. The latter with her husband and family (two sons) reside in the old homestead of Dr. White, where Captain Dobbins finds a tender, cor- dial and welcome home for the balance of his well spent life. There has been much discussion, and great interest has been manifested by historians regarding the derivation of the name " Buffalo ' as it is applied to that city, now one of the great centers in commerce, population aud wealth of the l uited States. While the controversy has opened considera- ble discussion, the light thrown upon the facts of the case seem to entitle Captain Dobbins to being the nearest to the tr e facts in the details which he has acquired as an actual result of the personal experiences of his father. In 1792, or so near to that date that the difference is immaterial, a " renegade " Indian, the son of a daughter of a chief of one of the Western tribes, through an alliance with a foreign officer, being forced to leave his people, wandered eastward, osten- sibly to affiliate with the white race, and Anally settled at a ford on a large creek, emptying Into Lake Erie on the present site of the City of Buffalo, for the very simple reason that fish- ing, trapping and hunting were exceedingly good there and travelers westward forded the creek at this point. He had been given the name of ■* Buffalo," after the custom of his people in consideration of the droves of these animals that covered hia native plains. He built his hut on the ceek, which now di- vides the city into two unequal parts, and forms a harbor for its commerce. Naturally this stream came to be known as " Buffalo's Creek,'' by those who knew the only settler there- on as " Buffalo " The name, so well established on the creek, then descended to the city on the site of Buffalo's camp, and the fact that the buffalo or bison of the plains was never seen in this territory, would seem to demonstrate beyond question the truth of Captain Bobbins' claim, that the City of Buffalo was named from "Buffalo's Creek," and that from the abo- rigine who gave it his quondam name. SOTMAN, PETER, President of the Niagara Fire Insurance Company of New York, and well and widely known for nearly half a century as an able underwriter, was born in Edinburgh, Scot- land, August 14, 1820. The name, " Nothman," in- dicates Scandinavian descent, while the "noth" — needj' — suggests the poverty which, in genealogical euphemism, is supposed to be synonjmous with honesty. For most of his schooling he is indebted to the far-famed city of his birth, where the years of his childhood were spent, amid educational in- fluences derived rather from a well developed pref- erence for the best writers and speakers than from direct instruction : nor has he at any time wholly CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 99 quently been offered political advancement, which he lias uniformly declined. He has always taken an interest in the science of Medical Jurisprudence, and has written several papers which have been published in the transactions of that Society in New York. Among his friends are many prominent members of the medical profession. In his early- cases at the bar he was retained by a prominent doctor to defend two very important cases of alleged malpractice. He was successful in both. Had he been defeated it would have been his client's ruin. His success brought him many other cases. It is said that he never brought an action against a doc- tor for malpractice and that he never lost a case of that kind that he defended. During the last six years of Mr. Henry J. Raymond's life Mr. Hull had charge of all the libel cases brought against Mr. Raymond's paper — which were numerous at that time, particu- larly during the stormy times of the Rebellion — in none of which was he ever defeated. He has bad charge of the legal business of the American Agri- culturist. That paper is frequently sued for libel, in which large damages have been claimed, by rea- son of its exposure of humbugs, frauds and quack medicines. The proprietors make it a rule to defend all such cases and Mr Hull has always been successful in defending those actions. A report of his argu- ment in one of those cases, a very amusing one, is reported under the title Byrn vs. Judd. 2 Abbott's Practice Reports (new series) 390 — See also Rich- ards vs. Judd, 15 Abbott's Pr. N. S. 184. The bound volumes containing some of his briefs and pleadings and papers in the numerous cases in which he has been engaged at the General Terms of the Court, and in the Court of Appeals, exceed twenty. He has been a fre- quent contributor to the press on local, educational and political questions, and also on subjects connected with his profession. Mr. Hull is President of the Society of Medical Jurisprudence and State Medicine, the objects of which are the investigation, study and advancement of the Science of Medical Juris- prudence and State Medicine, and the attainment of a higher standard of Medical Expert Testimony. He is also President of the Board of Trustees of Rutgers Female College. Mr. Hull's estimable wife is living and in good health. Of the four children born to them, one son, Charlie, died unmarried in 1874. Their other children are: Herbert G. Hull, lawyer of New York City, married and has two daughters; Nellie Hull, married A. J. Foster, a prominent leather merchant and banker of Boston, and has four daughters ; Carrie Hull, married J. W. Harbison, merchant of Duluth, Minn., and has three children : two sons and one daughter. Hence Mr. and Mrs. Hull have nine grandchildren. IOW, HON. SETH, LL.D. President of Columbia College, New York, and ex-Mayor of Brooklyn, was born in the latter city, January 18, 1850. His early studies were conducted at the Juvenile- High School and the Polytechnic Institute in his native city, and he then entered Columbia College, where he was graduated in 1870, the first of his class, though he was theu but twenty years of age. His graduation was followed by a short trip abroad ; and on his return he was made a clerk in a well known mercantile bouse, conducted by bis father and uncles under the firm name of A. A. Low & Brothers, and in 1875 he was made a partner in the house. Subsequently, on the retirement of the older members of the firm, Mr. Low took a leading part in its affairs. The house at this time was still, as it had been for many years, one of the most important and largest in the world engaged in the importation of teas from China. It required, consequently, large business attainments to conduct its affairs sys- tematically and successfully, although with the changes in the conduct of business the house gradu- ally lessened its operations. Mr. Low was elected a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce and served on some of its most important commit- tees. He was also the first President of the Brook- lyn Bureau of Charities, and was officially or other- wise associated with numerous other philanthropic or reform movements in that city. At the same time he was actiVe and influential in church and Sunday-school work. His habits of systematic study, which had so rapidly advanced him to the highest position in college, aDd his love of books and learning, continued after he entered into a more active life. He continued to be a hard student, and during those busy years as clerk and merchant, while he displayed a reasonable regard for the claims of society, in which he was ever welcome, he preferred to occupy his evenings in reviewing his favorite authors, in reading the standard writers in general literature, and in mastering the great practi- cal problems relating to political economy, com- merce, finance, civil government and service, and municipal government; particularly, he devoted himself to a thorough examination and study of the political, educational and charitable organizations and affairs of Brooklyn, thus laying deep and strong the foundations of his great future usefulness to that city. It followed that when in time he began to come more prominently before the public as a speaker in meetings called in the interest of such subjects as have been mentioned, all his associates were astonished at the scope and accuracy of his knowledge concerning every subject he treated ; the singular ease and familiarity with which these IOO CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. were handled by him ; and not the less at his mature and lucid thought, and his calm, wise, convincing and very winning way of carrying his point. As an orator his style was simple, natural and manly, and very effective. At public meetings, or other such occasions, he at once established pleasant relatious between himself and his auditors, making by his justness in argument and the manner of it, many friends and few enemies. It is told of him that one of his earlier and more brilliant public triumphs was wou at the important National Export Trade Con- vention, held in Washington, February 20, 1878. Here were gathered together a remarkable assem- blage of the most prominent merchants and public officials from all parts of the country. New York, as it happened, was represented by Mr. Low, who was then only twenty-eight years of age. Although seeming a mere stripling in the midst of such an array of older and far more distinguished men, he took part in the proceedings and made an address on the carrying trade of the United States which was so instructive and so altogether admirable in matter and delivery that it held the attention of all present, and was rewarded with the loud and long- continued applause of the members and of the num- erous Congressmen and statesmen who were present to listen to the debates. Throughout the country the leading papers very generally contained enthu- siastic mention of this speech and of its reception, through their Washington correspondents. In 1881 Mr. Low came prominently before the community of Brooklyn as the nominee of the Republican and the recently organized Citizens' parties for Mayor of the city of Brooklyn. He was now in his thirty- second year, and thoroughly versed in political affairs, an acute judge of men and an apt dialecti- cian. He inaugurated a remarkably vigorous per- sonal campaign, in which he pledged himself to practical reformatory measures and to an adminis- tration which should be conducted on business principles. The situation in Brooklyn at this time was that which has been experienced by so many of the cities in this country — peculiarly New York — in which partisan power has succeeded through corruption in obtaining the reins of government, and in holding them until general misrule has arous- ed the communitj- to definite aggressive action. Liv- ing in the midst of a Democratic stronghold, Mr. Low, with his Young Men's Republican Club, may be said to have achieved a political miracle. He overcame the Tilden presidential majority of nearly 20,000, and the Hancock majority of nearly 9,300, and won his election in November with nearly • r ),000 votes to spare. Brooklyn has never known another municipal campaign so interesting and ex- citing as that was. There were wards of the city in which none but Democratic speakers ever ventured to hold forth in the political meetings at such times. Mr. Low, accompanied by his gallant friend and supporter, General Woodward, who had been known as an old-line Democrat, made the venture. Mr. Low passed through the roughest crowds in the most forbidding places all unharmed, and as soon as he gained the opportunity, riveted and held the attention of those who may have come for mischief, but who listened to him with respect and admiration. During his term of office Mr. Low faithfully ad- hered to the promises which he had made to his fel- low citizens ; maintained a vigilant watch of all the legislation in Albany affecting the interests of Brooklyn ; and exacted from every employee of the municipal government the strictest attention to official duty. As a result of his admirable adminis- tration the young Mayor was honored with a re-elec- tion in November, 1883, and served throughout his second term with the same constant personal super- vision of details in every department, and the same public spirit and earnest patriotism which had so creditably characterized his first term. Mr. Low carried into the Mayor's office many of his counting- room methods: and if he had any ambition more than to have the city government administered hon- estly, expeditiously and efficiently, no one ever found it out. On one occasion he took the unheard-of step of hiring a hall, at his own expense, for the pur- pose of telling his fellow citizens what he had done and what he had tried to do in his official capacity. His first election having been the result of public dis- gust at the official corruption, to which both parties had contributed with all their might, he owed his second election to the fact of his having adminis- tered affairs in a manner which exhibited the broad- est contrast with the methods previously in vogue. At a grand mass meeting, held on the evening of the day of Mr. Low's renomination, there appeared sev- eral thousand solid citizens who did not go home until most of them had pledged themselves to per- sonal work for their candidate by means of house to house visitation. As the period of Mr. Low's retire- ment from the office which he had so well adminis- tered, during the four years for which he had been elected, drew to a close, about eighty gentlemen gathered one evening in the banquet rooms over Wilson's restaurant, in Brooklyn, to take part in the anniversary dinner of the Philomathian Society. Mayor Low was present, and spoke in response to the toast of " Our Young Men." As was always the case when he spoke in public, he was cheered and applauded with enthusiasm: and as he resumed his seat, Mr. Thomas E. Crossman took the floor and CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. lOI read amid frequent prolonged demonstrations of approval tlie following letter, to which were at- tached the signatures of one hundred representative young men of Brooklyn. "Mr. Mayor : — Of the widespread interest directed toward the administration, which the dawn of another day will bring to a successful close, not a small portion has been manifested by the young- men of Brooklyn who cannot forget your recent as- cension from their ranks, and who therefore have felt a pardonable pride in the auspicious manner in which the duties voluntarily accepted by you have been performed during your two successive terms of office. And as representatives of a far greater constituency, we have desired, that upon the eve of your retirement from office, to publicly extend to you our sincere congratulations upon the success achieved by you in your capacity as Mayor, and the material aid rendered by you in making the name of Brooklyn synonymous with purity of municipal affairs and freedom from the trammels of partisan politics. The opportunity is not afforded every young man to achieve the high reputation which has been earned by you, but we were fortunate in- deed that the selection should have fallen upon one so conscientious in the performance of his trust, and possessed of such wise judgment and unerring fore- sight. Young manhood has received from your brief career one of its brightest laurels, and as the voice of a grateful and appreciative people shall elevate you to still higher positions of trust, we shall feel an individual pleasure and pride in the knowl- edge that it was from the ranks of the youinj men of Brooklyn that you entered upon a career which had its commencement among them, and which will yet find a fittting close in the highest position in the power of the people to bestow upon a faithful ser- vant." Those four memorable years of service as Mayor made the name of Seth Low known and admired not only throughout the length and breadth of his own land but also in trans-atlantic countries; and when, after laying aside his official cares, Mr. Low went abroad and traveled through Europe,, he was everywhere honored with marked civilities and at- tentions for his own great personal merits and accomplishments, but more especially for the signal- service which it was recognized he had done in the cause of home rule and sound municipal govern- ment. Mr. Low's more important speeches and ad. dresses include his " Problem of Municipal Govern, meut in the United States," treatises on tariff reform and civil service, and addresses and orations before clubs, associations, and political and religious bodies. They all dwell upon living questions of the day and are in the direction of the better tendencies of the time and full of vital matter. Not less are they packed with thought and truth, and keen and cogent in argument, than they are remarkable for their simplicity, purity and beauty of style. The domes- tic and social life of Mr. Low has ever been marked by a rare and beautiful simplicity of demeanor. His spacious mansion, handsomely furnished and abounding with books, works of art and ornaments which tell largely of his repeated journeys abroad, is open with genuine hospitality to welcome and en- tertain visitors from all parts of the world. In April, 1889, Rev. F. A. P. Barnard, S.T.D., President of Columbia College, New York, died; and during the summer much curiosity was expressed as to the probable selection of his successor. Prof. James Russell Lowell was one of those whose names were mentioned for this office, and it was generally sup- posed that the person chosen would be one eminent in literature and scholastic learning. Considerable surprise was therefore felt, when on the afternoon of October 7, at a meeting of the Trustees of- the col- lege. Mr. Low was elected to the Presidency. Nearly the full Board was present, including Stephen P. Nash, the Rev. Dr. Morgan Dix, Bishop Henry C. Potter, William C. Schermerhorn, Prof. Henry Drisler, Hon. Hamilton Fish, Justice Blatchford of the Supreme Court of the United States, Charles E. Silliman, Frederick A. Schermerhorn, Edward Mit- chell, W. Bayard Cutting, Talbot W. Chambers, George L. Peabody and Charles M. Dacosta. How- ever much surprise there may have been manifested at this selection, it was followed by an immediate justification on the part of the general public, and as well of prominent professional men throughout the country, as a selection in the direct line of modern ideas with regard to the management of public institutions of whatever kind. It was recog- nized that while Mr. Low possessed only such scholarship as belongs to every well-educated man, he was a broad-minded man of the w r orld, skilled in administration and appreciative of any offered ad- vantage in the matter of education. He knew how to govern men, how to arouse in them the worthiest ambitious, and how to obtain from them honest work. It was recognized that he would govern the great institution over which he was called to pre- side, with the trained intelligence and enlightened judgment of a practical man of affairs. It was also believed that he would infuse into the work of the college that enthusiasm of youth so often and so lamentably lacking in the administration of our in- stitutions of learning. Indeed the remark was pub- licly made that Mr. Low's appointment was the most important step forward in American collegiate education which had been taken since President Eliot was appointed to Harvard University. In speaking of the appointment Mr. Joseph W. Har- per, of the Board of Trustees of Columbia College, said : " Mr. Low is a man of fine scholastic tastes; popular, possessing great firmness and discretion, and in thorough sympathy with the educational 102 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. systems of the times: he lias another great advan- tage in that he possesses an accurate knowledge of the business affairs of the college— a knowlege gained by his eight years' service as a Trustee." In fact the election of Mr. Low gave entire satisfac- tion to the trustees, the alumni and the students of the institution. During the Episcopal Triennial Con- vention, held in St. George's Church, New York, in October, 1889, this being also the centennial of the denomination in America, and to which Mr. Low was a delegate, he delivered an address before the missionary meeting held at the Academy of Music, besides taking part in its deliberations. The degree of LL.D., was conferred upon Mr. Low by the Trus- tees of Amherst College, Mass., in November. 188!). Mr. Low was named after his grandfather, Mr. Seth Low, a man greatly esteemed and beloved, formerly of Salem. Massachusetts, and afterwards of Brooklyn. His grandmother was Mary Porter, born in Tops- field. Massachusetts. In honor of the birthplace of his grandmother, Mr. Low's father, Mr. A. A. Low, a few years since, bought the valuable library of the late Rev. Mr. McLeod of that town, and presented it as an addition to the village library, the gift being known as the ''Low Department." Near by is the still well preserved and pleasantly situated house in which the venerated Mrs. Seth Low, the elder, first saw the light, and which latterly has been given to the Episcopalians as a home for orphan children. CORNELL, JOHN BLACK, philanthropist, found- er of the great iron manufacturing house of J. B. & J. M. Cornell of New York city, one of the pioneers in the architectural employment of iron, and a distinguished layman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born at Far Rockaway, Long Island, New York, February 7, 1821, and died at Lakewood, New Jersey, October 26, 1887. A careful study of reliable records leads to the infer- ence that he was a descendant of Richard Cornell of London, whose will bears date, lo85. Thomas Cornell, probably a son or grandson of this Rich- ard, came to America in 1636. He spent a year or two in Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he owned land at Braintree, afterwards removed to Rhode Is- land, and in 1642 to New- Amsterdam, being one of the numerous English settlers of Flushing and ad- jacent towns on the Long Island shore. He was one of a company which received from Governor Kieft a "grant of land on Long Island upon which houses were built in 1643. This property came to be known as Throgg's Neck, probably after Throck- morton, one of the leaders of the company. In 1646 Thomas Cornell received a personal grant of land from the Governor, consisting of the strip between the Bronx and East Rivers, which was afterwards called Cornell's Neck. This last property passed to his daughter, the wife of Thomas Willett, and having remained in the family ever since, is now known as Willett's Neck or Point. Thomas Cornell is the common ancestor of all of that name who trace their origin to a Long Island source. From Samuel, one of his sons, descends Ezra Cornell, founder of Cornell Uuiversity, and his son Alonzo B. Cornell, who became Governor of the State of New York. From John, another son, descended Thomas Cornell, of Rondout, one of the early "steamboat kings" of the Hudson River and at one time a member of Congress. From Rebecca, one of his daughters, who married George Woolsey, in 1647, descends Ex-President Woolsey of Yale Col- lege. From Sarah, another daughter, also married Thomas Willett, descended Colonel Marinus Wil- lett, of Revolutionary fame. Richard, his eldest son, was one of the most influential residents of Flushing during the latter years of the old Dutch Government which — as is well known — exercised jurisdiction over Long Island. He was one of the two deputies elected by the inhabitants of that town to a Convention called by Colonel Nicoll, the first English Governor of New York, in February, 1665, " to pass laws and ordinances to effect a uni- form mode of administering justice in the planta- tions of Long Island." He w-as one of the patentees of the town of Flushing under the English Govern- ment, and held the office of Justice of the Peace — one of great dignity in those early days. In 1684 he was associated with Thomas Willett, son of the first Mayor of New York, in the purchase of a large tract of land from the Indians for the freeholders of Flushing, and subsequent]}- with other prominent persons in various grants, patents and purchases of importance. In 1687 he bought of John Palmer, a merchant of New Y'ork, who had acquired title from Paman, the Indian Sagamore of Rockaway the tract of land known as Rockaway Neck, ex tending from the west boundary of Hempstead to Rockaway Inlet. In this transaction the name (previously spelled Cornhill) appears as Cornwell, in which form it is generally found during the en- suing hundred years, though with frequent varia- tions to Cornell, the form adopted when the orthog- raphy- of proper names became more settled. This propertj- remained in the family for many years. At present, ownership is limited to the family burial ground at Rockaway, which holds the dust of some representative of every generation of the descend- ants of its original proprietor. The children of CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. IO3 Richard (and his wife Elizabeth) Cornell of Rocka- I way, were Richard, William, Thomas, Jacob and ! John. The last named received a grant of one hundred acres of land at Rockaway about the year i 1687. In 1702 he purchased extensive tracts adja- cent thereto, paying for the same £600. A son of Thomas, also named Thomas, married Sarah Dough, ty. He was one of the most wealthy and influen- tial inhabitants of Long Island, became conspicuous in public affairs, and, excepting one term, served continuously as a member of the Colonial Assem- bly, from 1739 until his death in 1764. His brother, Colonel John Cornell (of Flushing) was commander of a regiment of the Queens County Militia at the time of his death in 1745. Thomas, the only son of Thomas and Sarah (Doughty) Cornell, married Helenah Whitehead. His three sons, named re- spectively Thomas, Whitehead, and Benjamin, remained loyal to the mother country in the troub- lous times preceding the Revolution and during the struggle for independence, following in this partic- ular the example of most of their neighbors. Thomas and Benjamin joined the British Army ] and each was commissioned a Captain. At the close of the war they, with many other loyalists, re- tired to Nova Scotia. Whitehead Cornell, though disapproving of the Revolution, did not engage ac- tively in its suppression The fact that his brothers took service with the British operated to draw him under suspicion and by order of General Washing- ton he was arrested and taken to Middletown, Con- necticut. His word was accepted as a sufficient guarantee that he would take no active part against the American forces, and he was permitted to re- turn home. That he continued to stand high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens and retained his influ- ence in affairs is proved by the fact that in 1789 he was elected one of the four delegates to represent Queens County in the General Assembly of the State and re-elected in 1791, 1792-3 and 1798-9. His wife was Abigail Hicks, who was descended from John Hicks, one of the first settlers in and original patentees of Ylishing or Ylishengen, which was anglicized Flushing, and later a prominent freeholder of Hempstead and one of its two dele- gates to the Convention called by Governor Nicoll in 1665. Thomas, the fifth son of Whitehead Cor- nell, inherited a part of his father's landed estate and was a farmer by occupation. Of his eight chil- dren six were sons. When about eleven years of age, one of these sons, the subject of this sketch, named John Black after the husband of his father's sister Helen, went to reside with his uncle, William Hew- lett, who lived at Newburg, New York. He had been there but a short time when his mother (born Hannah Hewlett) died, leaving to the care of her husband, her eight children, the three youngest of whom were boys not yet eleven, viz : John B., Wil- liam W. , and Harvey. John remained at Newburg until he was fifteen years of age, attending school regularly in season, and doing boys' work upon his uncle's farm. Early in 1836, equipped with a level head and a sound constitution, he went to the c ity of New York and apprenticed himself to the trade of whitesmith, with the firm of Cornell, Alt- hause & Co., the head of which was his eldest brother George, born at Far Rockaway, January 10, 1807. This firm manufactured grates, fenders, railings, safes, shutters, bedsteads, doors, etc., of iron. They were the successors in business of Ben- jamin Birdsall, with whom they had learned their trade and who was the pioneer in this line of iron working in the United States. Henry, another brother, much older than John, and then married, had learned the trade, and at this date was execut- ing pieces of work under the firm with his own force of men. All the brothers Cornell were born mechanics. They engaged in business without capital — for though the last of the Rockaway prop- erty was not disposed of till some time later, it was not available for their use in starting life. Besides their natural talent — which was exceptionally great — they all had health, energy, ambition, and, not least of all, well balanced characters. When John began his apprenticeship, the shop of the firm, which had formerly occupied premises on the southeastern corner of Broadway and White Street, — near by the shop of Peter Cooper, who was set clown in the city directory as a " mechanist," — was at 445 Broadway, a short distance above Canal Street. The Cornell brothers lost their father in 1839. His death, following so shortly after that of their be- loved mother, was a sad bereavement to them all, but bore seemingly with special weight upon the younger brothers, and particularly upon John, who loved his parents with intense ardor and who had not as yet succeeded in overcoming his grief at the death of his beloved Christian mother. In 1842 the firm of Cornell, Althause 6c Co. was dissolved and George Cornell formed a partnership with George R. Jackson, who had then been engaged in the iron business for three or four years at 199 Center Street. John, now a journeyman, accompanied his brother George, and in 1844 began work under him, taking contracts on his own account. In 1847 he formed a partnership with his younger brother William, (born at Far Rockaway, January 1, 1823,) who had followed the family example in learning the iron business. As it was not deemed wise to imperil their support by too great precipitancy, William re- io4 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. inained in the employment of Cornell and Jackson, while John, hiring the basement of the house 141 Center Street, put himself in the way of independent orders. A few months sufficed to prove the success of the experiment. William's services were now called into requisition, and owing to the increase of orders and consequent need of capital, Henry, who had purchased and retired to the Hewlett farm at Newburgh, returned and joined his brothers. As George Cornell had died in the fall of 1847, the new concern was the only Cornell firm in the iron busi- ness, and quite naturally it fell heir to some extent to the trade which the elder brother had built up during the twenty-eight years of his successful and prominent career in the same line of business. That the younger brothers had not accumulated sufficient capital to proceed unaided in their business is not surprising in view of their great "enerosity on all occasions in the cause of philanthropy and religion. They were sincere Christians, and valued money only for its uses. No good cause appealed to them in vain. It was largely in their nature to be gener- ous and open-handed, but this bias was strength- ened by their resolve early in life to devote a large proportion of their earnings to Christian work. Henry, John and William were all three noble men in the highest meaning of the term. " Henry was the theologian of the three : John was the calculat- ing one, the far-sighted, the inventor; William was the warm-hearted, the open-handed. He never could refuse child or friend anything." It is re- corded that these three young men really gave the first effectual start to the rebuilding of the " Old Brewer}-." When the Five Points Mission was just at the beginning, a meeting of Christian work- ers was held, at which it was decided to purchase the " Old Brewery " and steps were taken to ascer- tain what money could be raised for a new build- ing. At the end of three months but little had been done, and the ladies having the matter in hand were discouraged. On New Year's day John B. Cornell called upon Mrs. Wright, who had been a prime mover in the project, and inquired how the building fund was getting on. As he left he put into this lady's hands some folded slips of paper, saying that his brothers and himself wanted to help some in it. These slips of paper were three cheques for $500 each, and were practically the foundation on which the new building was reared. In 1853 Henry Cornell quitted the iron business and retired again to his farm at Newburgh, where he devoted himself to agriculture, mainly in the cultivation of fruit. His brothers, aided by his capital, drove ahead at their business, and in 1856 added a foun- dry to their plant. Between the last date and 1860 some twenty or more patents were taken out by the firm, and to its efforts the very large increase in the use of iron for fire-proof buildings is largely due. Down to about the time Mr. Cornell completed his apprenticeship there was probably not a building in the United States occupying a plot of ground, gay one hundred feet square, in the construction of which as much as ten thousand dollars worth of iron was used. Now structures are not uncommon which contain from two to three hundred thous- and dollars' worth. The first buildings in this coun- try rendered fire-proof by the use of wrought iron girders and beams for floors were the United States Custom House at Savannah, and the building of the Haiti more Sun. the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, and the Seamens' Savings Bank of New York. That the large increase in the use of iron for fire-proof architecture is attributable to the Messrs. Cornell no one can doubt who examines the files of the Patent Office. If not the actual pioneers in their construction they were at least second in the field. Their first contract for a complete iron front building was made with the late A. T. Stew- art, in 1863, for the erection of his retail store on the block bounded by Broadway and Fourth Av- enue, Ninth and Tenth Streets. Though the first structure of the kind undertaken by the firm, it was, when completed, probably the largest single edifice of iron then in existence, and as a model of substantial elegance and adaptation to its purpose has not since been surpassed, if equalled. The firm was not without competitors, several of them firms and corporations of large capital and influence. Nevertheless, no other iron-workers have ever achieved a higher reputation for reliability, thor- oughness and dispatch. With the development of iron working in England and America their busi- ness largely increased. " Nothing was too small for them to do well, and nothing too great for them to be intrusted with. From a coal cover to the tur- ret and armor of a warship : from a lamp-post to an elevated railroad ; from a piece of railing to the most superb wrought iron gates upon the continent ; from an area fence to the noblest stores, hotels and office buildings ever produced, either here or abroad, in Mexico or in South America ; they could do anything ; they did everything ; and they were probably without superiors in the world. It was more than success, it was triumph ; and it was clearly wrought out from orderly, alert, coura- geous, and masterful qualities of hand and brain, of nerve and character." For a period of forty years the founder of this great business remained at its head. Assisted at first by a single boy, his es- tablishment at the end of that time called for the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. services of a thousand stalwart men. lu 1859 nine lots of land on West Twenty-sixth Street, with the bindings thereon, were leased to meet the increasing demands of the business, and in 1866 the Center Street establishment was rebuilt and greatly en- larged, and has since' been occupied by the princi- pal offices of the firm. With the beginning of 1868 Mr. John Milton Cornell, son of the senior member of the linn, was admitted to partnership. Born in New York City, August 27, 184(5, he received a thorough English education at the Mount Washing- ton Collegiate Institute, and then, following the cus- tom in the family, entered the shop of his father and uncle, and devoted himself to mastering the iron business. Before he was twenty years of age he had served two years as foreman in charge of the shops in Center Street, and as such supervised the construction of the turrets, machinery for oper- ating them, and also the pilot-houses of the moni- tors Miantonomah and Tonawanda. In 1868 the capacity of the works was still farther enlarged by the leasing of eighteen lots on West Twent3"-rifth Street adjoining those on Twenty-sixth Street. On these lots and on eight others on Twenty-sixth Street, leased in 1869, buildings were erected adapted to the varied and extensive nature of the business. Mr. W. W. Cornell died March 17, 1870. He was a most skillful mechanic, and possessed a superior capacity for business ; but the loss to his brothers and partners was essentially in neither of these qualities, but in the greater of a loving- brother and friend, and gentle and genial associate. He became a member of the Methodist Church in his youth, and until his death led a sincere Chris- tian life. Although not fifty years of age at his death his benefactions to various objects aggregated nearly a quarter of a million of dollars. Bishop Janes said of him : " He was one of the noblest lay- men in the excellent ranks of Methodism, peerless among good and useful men ;" and Bishop Simp- son characterized him as " one of the noblest men that ever graced and honored New York Method- ism." After the death of W. W. Cornell the sur- viving partners continued the business under the style of J. B. & J. M. Cornell. In 1870 sixty-five lots were hired between West Twenty-sixth and West Twenty-Seventh Streets and Eleventh Avenue and the North River, and an immense shop was erected, — four hundred and fifty feet long by two hundred feet wide. It is probable that the area now covered by the offices, shops and yards of this firm exceeds that of any other manufacturing estab- lishment in New York City. Mr. J. B. Cornell lived to complete forty years of independent busi- ness life. In business he was strong, earnest and courageous; always courteous and kind to his com- petitors, and in several cases where competitors were in financial distress he went voluntarily to their relief and gave such substantial aid as to help them through their difficulties. Never harsh in his judgments, he was always glad of some excuse for those who erred : far-seeing in his plans, and a syste- matic thinker. He scarcely ever attended a meeting of importance without having thought out the subject beforehand, and often he surprised his associates with a well-matured plan when they were just com- mencing to give the subject their attention. Lib- eral in his purchases, he always said "If I am mak- ing money, why should not those I buy of do the same ? " The policy of live and let live was firmly fixed in his mind. He was never negligent of the mi- nutest requirements of his business, carrying it all in his mind, and ever alert in anticipating all its needs. Full of energy and force, he made those around him feel the importance of their own responsibili- ties, an account of which he rigidly and continually required. He was shrewd and keen in taking con- tracts, and believed in securing a fair price for his work, — one that would justify him in going to a greater expense in carrying out the agreement. Nothing pleased him more than an extra fine piece of work. W r here people had been liberal with him lie returned their liberality in good earnest. Yet, however low the price, nothing but good work would he allow to go out, taking evident satisfac- tion in putting additional expense on work where the price permitted it. He took great pleasure in his business, preferring even in the last years of his life, which were full of pain and illness, to work rather than rest. In fact, when urged to leave his duties in the hands of those better able to .endure their toils, be declined on the ground that his en- joyment was in his business. At his death, in 1887, the business he founded had attained a magni- tude of which he could scarcely have dreamed when he began. But grand and successful as was his business career, it paled before the earnestness, the usefulness and the beauty of his private life. At his loving mother's knee and in the Bible class of the Greene Street Methodist Episcopal Church of New York, he laid the foundations of his Christian character. He early recognized the wickedness of slavery, and was an outspoken Abolitionist there- after. Admitted to fellowship in the church, he dis- tinguished himself from the outset by his zeal and devotion to its interests and the welfare of souls. To speak properly of this side of his character and of his many good deeds would require a volume. In a sketch it cannot be attempted. Twice sent as Delegate to the Methodist Episcopal General Con- io6 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ference (in 1872 and 187G) lie appeared to the best advantage in contact with the choicest lights of the denomination. In the general Boards of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, such as the Book Commit- tee, the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society, and the General Committee on Missions, he wielded great influence. He was in truth a modest man, al- w ays declining honors, desiring to keep in the back- ground, and only taking the positions that he could not avoid, or where he was sure his help was a necessity. Very positive when once he had thought out a decision, he was ever ready to listen to argument and willing to be convinced. As President of the New York City Church Extension and Missionary Society, and as President of the Board of Trustees of the Drew Seminary, he rendered invaluable ser- vices to the church and the world. For four- teen years he was at the head of the first named, and. although to accept the place involved the giv- ing up of ambitious plans in connection with church development, he clearly saw his duty and as sincerely discharged it. " lie found, on entering upon* office, twelve missions and schools under the Society's charge ; and when he resigned because of failing health, there were twenty churches and mis- sions : twenty-five thousand scholars had been path- is ered into the schools ; live thousand conversions had taken place in the chapels: :|2">0,000 had been invested in church property, and over $1, 300, 000 had been spent in the current work of the Society. He found #104.000 worth of property, and he left #830,000 worth, with but *114,000 of indebtedness upon the whole of it." Towards the close of his life Mr. Cornell was a pronounced advocate of Pro- hibition, and believed that it was the duty of all men to unite in crushing out a traffic which was the parent of so much sin, misery and destitution. In his dealing with his employees he was invariably kind and just. A gentleman observing that no re- port was made of disturbances at the Cornell Works during the great labor excitements, asked him how he managed to avoid trouble. The reply was " En- treating the men like men : standing by them in hard times ; doing all I can for them : making them see that it is all that they should expect; taking them into my confidence : and so we have very little trouble." His benefactions were incessant, and kept pace with the increase of his fortune and his opportunities. An editorial writer in the Christian Advocate (November 3. 1887) estimates their total to approximate to a million and a quarter dollars. In his own city he was a member of various unde- nominational Boards of Management, such as the Hebrew Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf Mutes, and the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society. He was also Chairman of the Advisory Board of Saint Christopher's Home for Children, and Chairman both of the Building Committee and of the Advisory Committee of the Methodist Episcopal Home for Aged Members of the Church. The newly equipped Home for the former on Riverside Drive, and the superb building for the latter on Tenth Avenue, are both largely in- debted to his labors and liberalities. Generous, broad-minded, and religiously faithfnl in every good work that fell to his hand, he was in every sense of the word a philanthropist. His sou, John Milton Cornell, the eldest of a family of seven chil- dren, succeeded him as senior partner of the house he founded. The firm name remains the same — J. B. & J. M. Cornell. HISCOCK, HON. FRANK, Senator of the United States, was born at Pompey. Onondaga County, New York. September 6, 1834. Sena- tor Hiscock's ancestors, in whose veins there was a blending of the English and Scotch blood, were en- gaged for many generations in agricultural pursuits. The name of his grandfather, Richard Hiscock, appears upon the pension rolls of the Revolutionary War. as one of those who served his country in the ranks of the patriot army throughout the entire struggle for independence. This ancestor, soon after the close of the war, moved from his native State of Massachusetts to Pompey, then an almost unbroken wilderness. With the hardy pioneer spirit of those days, he, however, quickly cleared for himself a home and permanently located there his family. Here in 1708 was born Richard Hiscock, father of the Senator, a man of vigorous physical and mental qualities, who in early manhood married Cynthia Harris, a lady whose family has long been promi- nent in the State. Mr. Hiscock's early life was for the most part the ordinary one of a prosperous far- mer's son. He displayed an inclination to avoid the somewhat monotonous ro\itine of aericultural tasks for the more congenial pursuits of study and litera- ture, and was a close and persistent applicant in these latter fields. He graduated at a 3-outhful age from the Pompey Hill Academy, an institution then in high repute for the attainments of its instructors, and long since rendered famous by the eminence of many of its graduates. Among the students of his own immediate time were several who have siDce risen to distinguished prominence in State and National affairs. Upon graduation from the Acad- emy young Hiscock, following his inclination toward professional life, entered as a student the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. law office of his older brother L. Harris Hiscock, at Tullv. Onondaga County, with whom, after his ad- mission to the bar in 1855, he formed a law partner- ship) which was in 1858 moved to and permanently located in Syracuse. Following the example of his brother, he first joined the Democratic party, and with him in 1856 participated in the organization of the Democratic "Free Soil" element at Syracuse in support of General Fremont, which greatly contrib- uted to the Republican majority of nearly 7000 in the county of Onondaga in the ensuing Presidential election. From this time forth Mr. Hiscock acted with the Republican party, thus becoming identified with its formation and practically beginning his political life in its ranks. In 1860 he was elected District Attorney of Onondaga County and served in that office until the close of 1803. In 1867 he was elected a member of the State Constitutional Con- vention and was active in committee work and prominent in the debates of that body. In common with many other prominent Republicans, Mr. His- cock supported the nomination of Horace Greeley for the Presidency in 1872, and in the same year was himself nominated for Congress by the Liberal Republicans and Democrats of the XXIIId Congres- sional District, comprising the counties of Cortland and Onondaga. This district, more recently known as the XXVth, was a stronghold of the Republicans, but in this election so many of that party joined the Liberal movement, which was endorsed by the Democrats, that the local vote was. pretty evenly balanced. In supporting the Liberal party in 1872 Mr. Hiscock' doubtless was largely influenced by his personal friendship and respect for Mr. Greeley, and sympathy with his views; and without intention of becoming a member of the Democratic party, he co-operated in his support. At the close of that canvas he resumed his place in the Republican party. In 1876 he was elected as a delegate to the Republi- caD National Convention, and without solicitation on his part, unanimously chosen as the Republican candidate to represent his Congressional District in the National House of Representatives, being elected by a majority of 4590. His early services in the House were as a member of the Committee on Elec- tions, and of the "Proctor Investigating Commit- tee." In both these relations he gained large credit for the ability displayed in conducting investiga- tions and presenting results. His speeches in the House were direct and forcible, securing an atten- tive hearing from members of both parties and exer- cising a large influence \ipon legislation. Mr. His- cock was elected to the XLVth, XLVIth, XLVIIth, XLVIIIth, XLIXth and Lth Congresses, in each election receiving the cordial support of his party. In the XLVIth Congress he was Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, and in the XLVIIIth and XLIXth Congresses he was a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. Twice he was very favorably considered for the Speaker- ship of the House of Representatives. As Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Mr. Hiscock was practically the leader of the House of Repre- sentatives, and his National reputation was firmly established for a complete knowledge of the require- ments of the various departments, a wisdom in the expenditure of the public money, and revenue legisla- tion. By his arduous and useful public service Mr. Hiscock became firmly entrenched in the respect and esteem, not only of his immediate constituents, but also of the people of his State and the Nation, and by his breadth of views, wise conservatism and practical action the high opinion early formed of him was constantly strengthened. He was recog- nized as a Republican leader attentive to his duties, careful of the public interests, conservative in pub- lic crises and always safe, honorable and reliable. Before entering Congress Mr. Hiscock had risen to high eminence at the bar of the State of New York. In January, 1887, while still a member of the House of Representatives, and chosen for his sixth term, Mr. Hiscock was brought forward in the Republi- can canvass in the State Legislature at Albany for the office of United States Senator. Having re- ceived the caucus nomination he was duly elected, and March 4, 1887, took his seat in the Senate for the regular term of six years. Mr. Hiscock is a member of the Senate Committees on Finance, In- ter-State Commerce, Coast Defences, Patents, and of the Special Committee on the Reports of the Pacific Railroad Commissioners and the President's Message thereon. He was associated with Senators Allison, Aldrich and Jones of Nevada in preparing the Senate substitute for the revenue or tariff bill from the House of Representatives in the first session of the Lth Congress, which had become a Democratic party measure. On October 3, 1888, the Senate sub- stitute was reported to that body, considered and became a Republican party measure. Upon these two bills was joined the main issue between the two political parties in the canvass resulting in General Harrison's election to the Presidency. In a speech in the Senate October 0, 1888, Mr. Hiscock defined the position of the two parties on the question of protection, and his views commanded very general attention and, especially in the State of New York, exerted a powerful influence upon the election. Mr. Hiscock had favored the maturing and adoption of the Senate Tariff Bill previous to the election, as essential to the formulation of the Republican par- io8 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ty's attitude. This policy was acquiesced in, and thus was presented an affirmative measure antagon- istic to the bill passed by the Democratic majority in the House, and the result fully justified him and his Republican associates upon the Senate Finance Committee in their acting. Mr. Hiscock's name was widely considered in connection with the Presi- dential nomination of 1888, but without favor or encouragement from him. lie was chosen a Dele- gate-at-Large from the State of New York to the Republican National Convention, and there gave his influence in behalf of the Hon. Chaunccy M. Depew as the choice of his State. Throughout the delibera- tions of the Convention his voice was potential in the harmonious action of the delegation from New York, which exercised so large an influence in de- termining the results of the Convention. Preceding the convening of the Republican National Conven- tion the North American Review published a series of able articles discussing " Possible Presidents." in which the name of Mr. Hiscock had a prominent place. Following is that portion of the Review's article upon Mr. Hiscock, which relates especially to his public career, the influence he has had upon the course of National legislation and his standing as statesman and legislator before the country: '• Born and reared in New York, admitted to the bar in 1855, District Attorney, member of the Con- stitutional Convention of 18(57. Representative for ten years, and Senator in Congress — this is the brief record of extended service from which Frank His- cock's status and stature are to be determined. To sensible persons the matter of physical perfection is unimportant, if only one be raised above the abyss- mal depth of personal ugliness which a Yale profes- sor once described as incompatible. He did not say with what it was incompatible, choosing rather to leave a wide field to the imagination. But with- out so much as a reference to his exterior advan- tages, there is no impropriety in the statement that Senator Hiscock posesses an outward distinction corresponding more nearly than fate often permits to the qualities within. The repose which denotes a greater force than it exhibits is one of his attri- butes, and shallow critics have sometimes imagined what no one who has ever measured wits with him has had the fortune to discover, that his repose par- takes of the nature of lethargy. No such suspicion exists among the lawyers who have encountered the knowledge, the logic and the resource which for thirty years have been his recognized weapons in legal controversy; nor among the statesmen who have too often had the misery of regretting upon the floor of Congress that their equipment was not equal to his own; nor among the leaders of his party in this State, who have more than once been forced to acknowledge that his skill was not inferior to his magnanimity. Mr. Hiscock entered the field of National politics in the XLVth Congress, and at once attracted the attention of the country by his discussion of certain contested election cases which were precipitated upon the House. The prominence thus early achieved made him, with the general ap- proval of his Republican colleagues, one of the min- ority of the Investigating Committee whose purpose it was supposed at the time to be to dispute the title of President Hayes, and whose labors were unex- pectedly diversified by the translation of the histori- cal cipher dispatches. In that investigation he took a prominent if not pre-eminent part from first to last. In the XLVIth Congress he was a member of the committee which then originated all the general appropriations of the Government except those for rivers and harbors. After the election of Garfield the Speakership was conceded to Mr. Hiscock on both sides of the House: but Garfield's death and the consequent accession of a President from New York, to which State both the Secretary of the Treasury and the Postmaster-General were also ap- portioned in the geographical distribution of great offices, defeated him, and he was assigned to the ch&irmanship of the Committee on Appropriations. In the XLYIIIth Congress he was appointed to the Committee on Ways and Means, where he continued until the close of his service in the House. This summary of legislative assignments is a useful indi- cation of the scope of his activities as a Representa- tive. In the fundamental, but unobserved labors of the committee-room Mr. Hiscock is easily among the first of useful public servants. Speakers upon the floor of Congress may be divided into three classes: those who do not feel that they are filling the eyes of the country, and consequently might as well be silent, when they are not engaged in deliver- ing elaborate political essays: those whose natural proclivities or the suggestion of vanity dispose them to a pyrotechnical display of their readiness in bad- inage and repartee: and those whom inclination, obedient to the sense of duty, impels to the more practical work of securing the passage of good measures and the defeat of bad ones by the methodi- cal and cogent presentation of facts conscientiously collected. It is to the last class that Mr. Hiscock belongs. It is his custom to apply his talents in de- bate to measures pending at the time of his speaking and about to be voted on. The record will show with what diligence and success he has pursued this useful policy. As an example, however, of his re- sources when he has found a suitable opportunity for the comprehensive treatment of a general prin- ciple, I may be allowed to cite his speech of April 29, 1884, upon the relation of a protective tariff to agriculture, which attracted the immediate atten- tion of the country, confirmed the highest estimate of his powers, and has become a part of the common fund of economic fact and argument. I wish more- over, before closing this summary of Mr. Pliscock's legislative services, which is meant to be suggestive merely, to recall attention to his speech in the XLlXth Congress in opposition to the free coinage of silver, in which, if not absolutely the first to ex- pound the principle that low prices are not the result of a contraction of the currency, but are due rather to the decrease in the labor cost of produc- tions and the increased product per man power, he so arranged the facts and forced home their signifi- cance as to carry conviction where others had scarcely obtained a hearing; and to his plea in the same year for the extension of our commerce, with special reference to the great South American mar- ket, in which he incidentally laid low the 'subsidy' CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. IO9 spectre that demagogues have long employed to frighten timid souls: and to his strenuous defense of American dairies : to his dissection of the Morri- son resolution on Treasury balances, and during this, his'tirst session in the Senate, to his speeches on the undervaluation of imports and the insidious pre- tences of the pleuro-pneumonia bill, and to his earnest appeal in behalf of international copyright. Mr. Hiscock is a statesman and politician of the sort that nourished in the earlier days of the Repub- lic, when sobriety of judgment, a quiet fidelity to present duties, adaptation to the higher planes of controversy, talent for command when the time came, and a disinclination to anticipate the obliga- tion, were among the qualities required of public men." PECK, JOHN HUDSON, LL.D., of Troy, Presi- dent of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and counsellor-at-law, was born at the city of Hudson, New York, on the 7th day of February, 1838. He is the eldest son of the late Hon. Darius Peck (born 1802, died 1879) a prominent and influen- tial citizen and thorough lawyer, who was formally years County Judge of Columbia Count} - , New York. (See Vol. I., page 270). The subject of this sketch is descended on his father's side from the early Puritan settlers of New England. William Peck, his earliest progenitor in America, emigrated to this country with his wife and son Jeremiah, in the ship Hector with the company of Governor Eaton and the Rev. John Davenport, and he was one of the founders of the colony of New Haven in 1638. John Hudson Peck's natal year therefore marked the completion of two full centuries since his earliest American ancestor cjime to this country. The William Peck who has been mentioned was a signer of the original constitution of the town of New Haven. His sou Jeremiah became, in 10(50, the first teacher of the colony collegiate school, and he was afterwards the settled minister in Saybrook and Waterbury, Connecticut, and Elizabeth, N. J. If space and time permitted, the continuous line of descent, nearly equally divided between farmers and professional men, could readily be traced to the ninth generation. The Rev. John Peck, a noted divine of the Baptist Church, represented the family in the seventh. The Hon. Darius Peck, son of Rev. John Peck, married in 1830 Harriet M. Hudson (born 1813, died 1803) youngest daughter of Horace Hudson (second son of William Hudson of Wells and Jane Pike of Llyn Regis, county of Norfolk. England) who came to America in 1803. She was a sister of Mrs. John II. Willard and Miss Theodosia Hudson, for many years, respectively, principal and vice-principal of the Troy Female Seminary, one of the oldest and most noted institutions for the higher education of women in this country. John H. Peck was prepared for college under the capable instruc- tion of Mr. Isaac F. Bragg and the Rev. Elbridge Bradbury at the Hudson Classical Institute. He was graduated from Hamilton College at Clinton, New 7 York — of which seat of learning his father like- wise was an alumnus — witli class of 1859. He chose the law for his profession and studied at Troy, New York, under the direction of the Hon. Cor- nelius L. Tracy and the Hon. Jeremiah Romeyn, and he was admitted to the bar at Albany in Decem- ber, 1861. Very soon afterwards he entered into a law partnership with Mr. Romeyn, which continued until April, 1867. At that time he, with his former instructor, Mr. Tracy, formed the very successful law firm of Tracy and Peck, which was only termin- ated by the final illness of the senior member. Since its dissolution, Mr. Peck has been iutrusted with the legal business of the Troy and Boston Railroad Company, the Troy Union Railroad Company, the Troy Savings Bank, and with that of sev- eral private trusts and estates involving large in- terests. By his fellow citizens and professional col- leagues he is regarded as a conservative, judicious lawyer, thorough in application, assiduous in caring for the interests of his clients, and entirely honor- able in his methods. Outside of his profession, Mr. Peck has identified himself with educational inter- ests. He became a trustee of the Troy Female Seminary in 1883. In May, 1888, he was elected President of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the pioneer school of civil engineering as well as the most celebrated in this country. To both these famous institutions of learning he has given the benefit of his counsel and studies. His predecessors in the office of President of the Rensselaer Polytech- nic Institute were among the most cultured and celebrated citizens of Troy. His selection to that office was warmly approved by his fellow citizens and the newspaper press of that city. In public affairs Mr. Peck has manifested an enterprising spirit. On all the views that divide men into par- ties, his interest is large, and his appreciation keen. He has frequently beeu urged to appear before his fellow citizens as a candidate for offices of power and honor. He has invariably declined, but his talents and counsel have always been at the com- mand of the people. He has written voluminously for the newspaper press and has delivered many- occasional addresses. His manner of composition is clear, conservative, instructive and logical. Moreover, his writings are characterized by dignity and stamped by culture. He was orator of the So- ciety of the Alumni of Hamilton College at the I IO CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. commencement in 1889. His discourse was spoken of by the Utica Herald as one of the ablest and most carefully prepared ever delivered before the associa- tion, characterized hy scholarly thought and fine rhetoric. The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon Mr. Peck at the Hamilton College commencement in 1889. He married, August 7, 1883, Mercy Plum Mann (born December 23. 1843) second daughter of Nathaniel Mann of Milton. Saratoga County, New York, and a descendant in the sixth generation of Richard Mann, a planter, and one of the original land proprietors of Scituate, Massachusetts. tice of which any physician might feel a just pride, and a confidence born of the knowledge of the care and ability which all cases entrusted to him have commanded. Dr. Ferguson was Secretary of t he New York State Medical Association from its foun- j dation in 1884 up to September, 1889, when he was elected Yice-President. He is an active member of the Medical Society of Rensselaer County, and a number of other medical organizations. Dr. Fer- guson was married the 1st of January, 1885, to Mis* Marion A., daughter of Z. P. Farley, Esq.. at the residence of the latter in Crown Point, Indiana. FERGUSON, EYERARD D., M.D., of Troy, Rensselaer County, and one of the most widely known practitioners of that section, was born at Moscow, Livingston County, New York, March 9, 1843, and is the youngest of seven children born to Smith and Emily Townsend Ferguson. The family is essentially American, and for generations back were natives of the United States. Dr. Fergu- son's father was a farmer, and his boyhood was passed at the homestead in the town of Seneca, Ontario County, where the greater part of his father's life was spent. It was here that the rudi- ments of his education were obtained, and his fur- ther studies were continued at the Starkey Seminary in Schuyler County, New York. Having completed this course, young Ferguson turned his attention to teaching, and for a considerable time thereafter was engaged as an instructor in the States of New York, Kentucky and Iowa. These pursuits were, how- ever, not wholly congenial to his tastes, and his at- tention, which had all along been turning towards his chosen profession, found gratification in profes- sional study, subsequently supplemented by a course of lectures at the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor. His medical studies were completed at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in February, 18G8. Dr. Ferguson then settled in the town of Essex, Essex County, New York, where he continued the practice of his profes- sion until January, 1876, when he was appointed surgeon to Clinton Prison, a position which he tilled with honor until his resignation in July, 1878 ; he having determined that a broader and more useful field for his labors was to be found in general prac- tice. Immediately thereafter he came to Troy, where he has since resided and has been remarka- bly successful in his professional work, and his fel- low citizens have not been slow to recognize his abilities. The result has been the growth of a prac- EVANS, CHARLES WORTHINGTON, one of the old citizens of Buffalo, founder of the Evans Elevators, and for more than half a cen- tury prominently identified with the commerce and business interests of the Lake region, was born in Baltimore, Md.. March 13, 1812, and died at his home in Buffalo, February 8, 1889. He came of Quaker stock, and was the third son of William Evans and Margaret Carey Randall, his wife, both of Baltimore. In his boyhood he had the advan- tages of a thorough school education, and being studious by nature he found, throughout his long life, his chief pleasure in books and literary work. He began his business life at an early age as a clerk in the office of the Fireman's Insurance Co., of Bal- timore, whose President, John Hewes, was an in- timate friend of his father. He was afterwards in the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank in that city, be- ing employed by the bank in making its money ex- changes with bank* in other cities, and as discount clerk. A most favorable impression of Buffalo, conceived while on a visit to that place in 1829, ripened on the occasion of a second visit in 1834 in- to a determination to make it his future home, and in 1835 this resolve was carried into effect by his removal thither. His father, with the other mem- bers of the family, had moved to Buffalo in 1832. He began his business operations in Buffalo in 1836, by erecting a warehouse north of and near Water Street on the line of the Evans Ship Ca?ial, which had been constructed in 1833 by his father, William Evans, through part of outer lot No. 3, deeded by the Holland Land Company to Benjamin Ellicott, brother of Joseph Ellicott, who laid out Buffalo in 1804. On the death of Benjamin Ellicott, this land was inherited from him by his sister, Letitia Elli- cott Evans, the mother of William Evans, and grandmother of Charles W. Evans, the subject of I this sketch. In October of that year he formed a partnership with his younger brother William, for CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. I I I carrying on the produce and commission business, the newly organized firm taking the style of C. W. and W. A. Evans. This partnership was dissolved January 1, 1846. and Charles continued in business alone until May 1, 1847, when be entered into part- nership with Robert Dunbar, under the firm name of Evans & Dunbar, in the storage and elevating busi- ness. Mr. Evans conceived the idea of altering the two warehouses of the firm into a grain elevator, and it was done without delay, steam being em- ployed in elevating the grain. The business proved a success from the start, and to provide increased facilities, the firm acquired an additional frontage, making in all one hundred and sixty feet on the Ship Canal. In August, 1853, Mr. Dunbar retired from the firm and Mr. Evans became the sole owner of the elevator. In connection with its manage- ment he carried on the coal business. In 1862, on September 19, and in the midst of a very busy sea- son, the elevator was destroyed by fire. Mr. Evans built a new and substantial one within a few months, at a cost of $60,000. In 1864 he disposed of a half interest in it to Mr. George W. Tifft, of Buf- falo. In the same year the elevator was a second time destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt in 1865. It proved a most successful enterprise from the start, and for many years has been a valuable propertj'. The interest purchased by the late Mr. Tifft is still owned by his heirs. Mr. Evans remained in the elevator business until his death. His business career covered a period of fifty-three years, and was remarkable for its continuous activity and unvary- ing success. "The Evans Elevator is not only the longest established but also one of the largest and most substantial in Buffalo, having a capacity of nearly half a million bushels of wheat. Among the business men of Buffalo no man stood higher in the esteem of his associates than Mr. Evans. He was the soul of probity and honor in all his transactions, and his reputation as a just and honorable citizen as well as an active and enterprising business man was well kn >wn. Mr. Evans was frequently entrusted with the settlement of large estates, some of them of great value. Among these latter, and probably the most important, was the extensive Peacock estate, left by his wife's uncle. Judge Peacock, of May- ville, N. Y. The delicate and difficult task of set- tling this valuable property, most of which is in real estate in Buffalo, was successfully accomplished by him to the satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Evans also devoted much of his time to writing and literary work. In 1882 he published a history of the " Fox, Ellicott and Evans Families," compiled from data which he had been collecting for fifty years. " It is probably one of the most elaborate and comprehensive family histories ever published in this country, and is illustrated with family por- traits and reproductions of valuable old maps and plates." It has come to have a high value to gen- ealogists and historians, and is used as a standard book of reference. Another work to which Mr. Evans devoted a great deal of time and labor was a history of St. Paul's Church, the leading Episcopal Church of Buffalo, with which he was connected more than forty-three years, and regarding which he was probably better informed and more intim- ately acquainted than any other person. Although completed, this work was still in manuscript at the time of his death, but is to be published by his fam- ily. Mr. Evans was a valued friend of the late Rev. Dr. Shelton, who was the esteemed rector of St. Paul's for over fifty years, and was one of the ex- ecutors of his estate. He was a warden of St. Paul's for twenty-five years, and had been honored by the parish with all the lay offices in its gift. All the impulses of his nature were generous and chari- table, but with the same modesty that characterized every action of his life he wrought his good deeds as much as possible in secret, often not even inform- ing his own family of them. His benefactions were numerous, far-reaching and liberal, and were never afterwards alluded to by him. His death took place on the date previously given, at his home, No. 468 Delaware Avenue. The funeral services were con- ducted on the afternoon of Monday, February 11, 1889, at his home, the Rev. John Huske officiating. The pall-bearers were the warden and vestrymen of St. Paul's, and the carriers were eight employees of the Evans Elevator, headed by Patrick Power, the competent, faithful and trusted superintendent of the Evans Elevator, who had been in Mr. Evans' employ for thirty-five years. Mr. Evans' death was deplored as a public loss, and the most sincere ex- pressions of sorrow were heard on all sides. The Buffalo Courier of Sunday, February 10, 1889, in an editorial referring to it, said : " There died in Charles W. Evans, Friday night, a man whose modesty was an actual misfortune to the community in which he lived. His high qual- ities would have admirably fitted him for almost any public station, and had they been more widely recog- nized the comruunity would have been a decided gainer. In his dealings with other men he was the personification of justice, and when the claims of exact justice had been first satisfied, he was ready to be liberal — in fact, in a quiet way he was an ex- ceedingly generous man. He 'was successful in business, and he was scholarly in his tastes, having all his long life been a reader of good books. His- tory was his special study, and the account of the Ellicott, Fox and Evans families, which he brought out in 1882, was no mean specimen of bookmaking. Mr. Evans was very conservative in his ways, as I I 2 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. became one of his Quaker bringirig up, but his opinions were eminently sound, and his services to any cause were of great value. Few men have seemed to study so carefully to make every simple action square with the rules of prudence, integrity, and righteousness, and it may be said that few men have succeeded in living seventy-seven years in a manner worthier of imitation. Perhaps Mr. Evans' most marked grace was a thoughtful courtesy that never failed to recognize the slightest service, and in fact that never missed an opportunity to perform a kindly act." Other published references to Mr. Evans' life were equally laudatory of his character and goodness of heart. Mr. Evans was one of five brothers, all suc- cessful business men in Buffalo, viz., John R., James C, Charles AY., (the subject of this sketch), William A. and Lewis E. Evans. He married, in 1857, Miss Mary Peacock, of Mayville, N. Y., daughter of Captain John and Maria Frees Peacock, and a niece of the late Judge William Peacock, of Mayville, with whom she had lived as a daughter from her fifth year, her father's home in Lyons, N. Y., having been broken up by the early death of her mother. Mrs. Evans survives, as do also their two daughters : Mrs. George Hunter Bartlett and Miss Virginia Evans. ODELL, HON. BENJAMIN BARKER, Mayor of Newburgh, Oransre County, was born Septem- ber 10, 1825, in what is known as the Governor Clinton homestead, situated iu the town of New Windsor, Orange County, New Y'ork. His father, Isaac Odell, was a direct lineal descendant of the family of that name, which settled in Westchester County prior to the Revolutionary War, and the grandfather of the subject of this sketch was en- gaged in that memorable conflict, and held a com- mission in the service. His mother was Mary Ann Barker, of Westchester County, from whence she came to Orange County with her parents in 1820, where they subsequently resided. In accordance with the custom of those times, young Odell was ap- prenticed at the age of fifteen years to a farmer, one Abram Weller, of the town of Montgomery, and there remained for three years following. While thus employed he obtained his early education, the only advantages for which were to be had at the district schools during the winter months. How- ever, by improving his opportunities, he obtained a good rudimentary education, which laid the foun- dation for its completion in that best of all schools, the one of experience. Succeeding this period of his life he entered the employ of Mr. B. W. Van Wert, with whom he remained several years, and then began business for himself. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the various enterprises in which he was engaged up to the year 1803, when he pur- chased from Mr. James R. Dickson the business known as the Muchattoes Ice Company. Through his careful management this business increased un- til, in 1886, it was incorporated as a company with a capital of one hundred and ten thousand dollars, and Mr. Odell elected its President, which position he still holds. Mr. Odell has, since early manhood, taken an active part in politics, at first being identi- fied with the Democratic party, but since the firing upon Fort Sumter he has been an ardent and con- scientious Republican, ne has held numerous po- sitions of trust, as a token of the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens ; among them being Trustee of the Village of Newburgh: one of its first Alderman upon the incorporation of the city; Su- pervisor of the town of New Windsor, and Sheriff of the County of Orange. In 1884 Mr. Odell was elected Mayor of the city of Newburgh on the Re- publican ticket, and at two subsequent elections the confidence and respect of his constituents en- sured his re-election, and he is now filling the office for the third term to the full satisfaction of the citi- zens, with credit to the city and honor to himself. Still in the prime of life and vigorous manhood, Mr. Odell's career has much in prospect on which his friends base flattering predictions of continued usefulness and honor. He was married in 18.00 to Miss Ophelia Bookstaver, the daughter of Hiram Bookstaver, Esq., of the town of Montgomery. Of eleven children born to them five are still living, their names being respectively : Benjamin B., Jr., Hiram B., George C. D., Ophelia, and Clara. * REYNOLDS, TABOR B., M.D., a leading medi- cal practitioner of Saratoga Springs, was born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga County, April 8, 1821. He is a son of the late Dr. Henry Reynolds, a well known physician of Wilton, and from him inherited his medical tastes. Having completed his academic training he took up the study of medicine in his father's office, and when sufficiently grounded in the rudiments of his chosen profession was placed under the tuition of Doctors Marsh and Armsby, two of the first medical men of Albany, studying at the same time as a pupil in the Albany Medical College. In February, 1842, lie graduated from the institution named with the degree of Doctor of Medicine ; and returning to Wilton was associated in practice with his father until the latter's death, December 20, 1857, when he became the colleague of his younger CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 113 brother. Dr. John Henry Reynolds, with whom he continued in partnership until the hitter's decease, April 3, 1870. In the early part of 1871 he removed to Saratoga Springs. While a resident of Wilton lie took an active part in local affairs and was re- peatedly honored by his townsmen with official position. From 1847 to 1852 he held the office of Town Superintendent of Schools and through his capable oversight and unflagging zeal in their ser. vice greatly increased their efficiency. In 1850 and 1857 he served in the Board of Supervisors, and in 1863 was again elected a member of the Board and by successive re-elections held the office until the close of 1867. In the fall of that year he was elected by the voters of the Democratic and American par- ties to represent the Second Assembly District in the Slate Legislature, in which he was a popular and useful member during his term of office. His early political affiliations were with the Democratic party, but during the Civil War he was a stanch and patriotic supporter of the National Government, and untiring in his efforts to maintain its supremacy. His services on the Board of Supervisors during this period were marked by unflagging zeal for the pub- lic interests, and were absorbing and laborious. In the special work of securing enlistments, filling the county's quota of men for the Union army, and providing for the payment of bounties and for the wants of the soldiers generally, he rendered active and important assistance to the county, State and National authorities, and earned the unqualified praise and thanks of his fellow-citizens. In the fall of 1867 he was elected Sheriff of the county by a flatter- ing majority, and served with high credit to himself and satisfaction to the people until the close of the term, December 31, 1870. Feeling that he had fully performed his duty to the public he resumed profes- sional work upon his retirement from office, remov- ing to the village of Saratoga Springs, where he has since resided. By his eminent skill as a physician, his high character as a citizen, and his genial quali- ties as a man, he has advanced to the very front rank of public and professional esteem, and has built, up a large and lucrative practice, which is second to no other in the county. For many years he Las been an active and leading member of the Saratoga County Medical Society, and was its Presi- dent in 1857. In 1858 he was chosen a Permanent Member of the New York State Medical Society, and also a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation. In 1872 he was President of the Union Medical Association of Washington, Warren and Saratoga Counties. In 1878 Dr. Reynolds was ap- pointed a single Examining Surgeon for Pensions at Saratoga Springs, which position beheld until 1886, when he resigned the same. On the 24th of April, 1889, he was appointed one of a Board of three Ex- amining Surgeons to be located at Saratoga Springs, New York. In 1884 he was associated with many others as charter members in and assisted in organ- izing the New York State Medical Association, of which he still remains an active member. In all these official positions he has earned the esteem of his associates, and his labors in advancing the inter- ests of the several associations have been marked by rare efficiency and success. Dr. Reynolds mar- ried, February 17, 1843, Miss Sarah Ann Emerson, daughter of Lyndes Emerson, Esq., a respected resident of Wilton. Mrs. Reynolds, who was the faithful and valued friend, assistant and counsellor of her husband for more than a generation, died after a lingering illness, September 9, 1874. Dr. Reynolds has never remarried and has no children living. BREWSTER, HENRY, of the great carriage manufacturing establishment of Brewster & Co., of New York City, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, May 19, 1824, and died in New York, September 20, 1887. He was a lineal descend- ant of Elder William Brewster, and the third son of James Brewster of New Haven, who was eminent in his time for his business energy, public spirit, in- tegrity of character and philanthropic labors, and who founded the carriage business, with which the name of Brewster has since been identified. Henry Brewster inherited his father's characteristic traits, and at the time of his death occupied a leading po- sition among the carriage manufacturers of the world, being the senior member of a firm which did a far more extensive business than any other car- riage establishment in existence, and which shipped its carriages to all parts of the globe. At the age of fourteen he abandoned the idea, which he had previously entertained, of entering Yale College, de- cided to go into business, and was apprenticed to Brooks Hughes, a well known hardware merchant of New Haven. At twenty-one he came to New York, and, in 1848, at the age of twenty-four, be- came associated with his father and elder brother in the manufacture and sale of carriages, under the linn name of James Brewster & Sons. In 1856 this firm was dissolved, and Mr. Brewster formed a partnership with James W. Lawrence and the late John W. Britton, adopting the firm name of Brew- ster & Co., which has never since been changed. Their factory for many years was in Broome Street, whence was derived the well-known title of " Brew- ii4 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ster & Co. of Broome Street." Their generous ex- penditures in all the details of building a carriage, and the artistic and thoroughly reliable character of their work, gave them a unique position in the busi- ness world, and attracted the attention of the lead- ing carriage manufacturers of England, France and Germany to such an extent that it has long been customary for those manufacturers to place their sons in the factory of Brewster & Co. as an essen- tial pari of their education. Mr. Brewster was ably assisted in the promotion of his business by his partners. One of them, Mr. Britton, was for several years prior to his death President of the Union Dime Savings Bank, a position which he reluctantly as- sumed at a time when the institution had met with serious reverses. Under his management it rapidly regained its former strength. Mr. Britton was a man of commanding presence, possessing an active and comprehensive mind, and was a keen student of the social and economical tendencies of the time. In 1872 the firm admitted its employees to an inter- est in the business, an experiment peculiarly in- teresting as being the first of the kind made in this country. The result was a disappointment, as with the great labor agitation some time later the men vol- untarily withdrew from and terminated the industrial co-partnership to join the general strike then in prog- ress. Other experiments in the same direction made by the firm have been more satisfactory, such as having a veteran roll, and giving to all who have been in the employment of the firm for a certain number of years a gratuity in addition to their regu- lar wages, this gratuity increasing with the term of service. The firm received the bronze medal at the International Exposition held in London in 1862; and though, at the Centennial Exhibition in Phila- delphia, it declined to make any competitive entry of its carriages, owing to the fact that one of its representatives was on the Committee of Award, it nevertheless exhibited there a number of vehicles, which attracted much attention by their variety and elegance. At the Paris Exposition of 1878 the firm was awarded the gold medal, and Mr. Brewster was decorated with the Cross of the Legion of Hon- or. For this unusual distinction the carriage makers of the United States, in testimony of the compliment reflected upon themselves, joined in presenting the tirm with a gold tablet suitably in- scribed. This was the occasion of a celebration in New York, much commented upon at the time by the press, in which leading carriage manufacturers of the country and many representative men of Other vocations took part. Mr. Brewster was one of the original members of the Union League Club, and, like Ins father, was noted for his aggressive patriotism. In the dark days of the Rebellion, at the time of the draft riots, his tirm was the first to raise the Union flag in this city upon its building in Broome Street, and to protect it against the mob by a cannon manned by its employees. For this act Mr. Brewster's life was threatened; and he escaped only by concealing himself until the arrival of the Federal troops. Mr. Brewster was a fine type of the class of successful business men, who, coming from the country in early manhood, have pushed their fortunes in New York, and, while achieving a high personal success, have promoted the interests of the city and country. He was a man of a de- lightful social nature, with a manner which, though simple and unaffected, was marked by a certain courtliness. He will long be remembered for his business integrity, his ready sympathy, his rare generosity, and his munificent hospitality. FRAZAE, EVERETT, Consul-General for the Kingdom of Korea, in the United States, was born at Duxbury, Mass., October 4, 1834. He is descended on the paternal side from the old and historic Clan Fraser, of Inverness, Scotland. When the American Colonies threw off the yoke of Great Britain, his ancestors, then resident in New England, warmly espoused the patriot cause, and in honor of the change in their allegiance altered the name to its present form, thus making it distinc- tively American. Mr. Frazar's grandfather, Samuel Alden Frazar, was a prominent shipbuilder and shipowner at Duxbury, Mass., as early as 1800, and down to 1830. His father, George Frazar, was born at Duxbury, in 1801, and died at Watertown, Mass., in 1887. He also was a shipbuilder at Dux- bury. In 1842 he went to Dong Kong, China, where he remained until 1849. George Frazar mar- ried Ann Little, of Pembroke, Mass. He was a di- rect descendant of John Alden, one of the Pilgrim Fathers, who came over in the " Mayflower," and landed at Plymouth Rock in December, 1020. Ev- erett Frazar, the subject of this sketch, began his education in the Partridge Academy, at Duxbury. When fourteen years of age he moved to Charles- town, Mass., and for some time was a pupil in the High School there. Later he entered the famous Chauncey Hall School in Boston, where he finished his academic studies, graduating in the class of 1851. He then entered the counting room of Enoch Train & Co., Boston, proprietors of the Boston ifc Liverpool line of packets, where George Francis Train was a partner until 1854. In April, 1858, Mr. Frazar set sail from Boston for Shanghai, China, in Atlantic PubHs/uny & fngrtzving CoJW CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK the bark "Maryland," arriving in October, 1858, after a voyage of 184 days, establishing the mercan- tile firm of Frazar & Co., which is still in existence in Shanghai. A branch of the firm was opened in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1860, and in Hong Kong in 1875. The firm had conducted a large business in petroleum, both in China and Japan, up to 1878, when a branch house was established in Yokohama, with the same firm name, Frazar 7, having just then gradu- ated from Harvard College. In 1872 Mr. William Shepard Wetmore. of New York, joined the firm of Frazar & Co., Shanghai. Mr. Wetmore had had a long and valued experience in business in China, with the United States, England, etc., as a partner of the American firms of Wetmore & Co., Canton, and Wetmore. Williams ct Co., and Wetmore, Cly- de? & Co., of Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York. Frazar & Co. have for many years done an exten- sive business in teas, silk, straw braid, cotton goods and petroleum, and is one of the few remaining old established American houses in active business in China. From 1867 to 1872 the firm acted as agents for several of the large Australian coal mines, re- ceiving from them on consignment during the years 1872 and 1873, fifty-six ships with 35,000 tons of coal, which were sold to the Chinese Government, Chi- nese merchants, foreign men-of-war, etc. From Puget Sound Mills, in 1873, the firm received four- teen cargoes of lumber, with a total of eight mil- lions of feet, and from New York ten ships with as- sorted cargoes of cotton goods, petroleum, coal and sundries. The firm also controlled a large propor- tion of the foreign shipping arriving at Shanghai, at times numbering from twenty-five to thirty sail of different nationalities in port at one time, com- prising American, British, French, German, Aus- trian. Dutch, Italian, Russian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Chinese, etc. In 1860 Frazar & Co. were appointed agents for the Boston Board of Marine Underwriters, in 1867 for the New Y'ork Under- writers, and in 1885 for the National Board of Ma- rine Underwriters. These agencies, together with the Edison (incandescent) and American (arc) elec- tric lighting systems, the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Sims-Edison Electric Torpedo Company, Sprague Electric Railway and Motor Company, Har- lan , in which he defined his position on Civil Service Re- form, the currency and labor questions, being that of his party, while his general attitude was that of a man independent of extreme party limitations. " I believe," he said, " in Civil Service Reform, and welcome any action by any official, Federal or State, which shows a sincere purpose to promote and es- tablish it. When it comes to be thoroughly under- stood and its methods perfected, I am confident that it will commend itself to the people through the improvement of their official service and the purification of their political life. I fully concur," he adds, "in the demand for appropriate legislation by Congress putting an end to the silver coinage, already excessive, and calling for honest silver dol- lars on the basis of the gold standard. The inter- ests of labor call for such legislation from time to time as shall maintain in its integrity the American idea of free and intelligent industry, the very foun- dation of everything that gives distinction to our Republic among the nations of the earth. It vitally concerns the State that the industrial classes shall be defended from servile competition on the one hand and from undue control on the other. Be- tween capital justly administered and labor fairly rendered there can be no hostility." Mr. Daven- port's position on the currency has been already defined. " Coin-clipping under color of the law should be regarded as a crime " is his expressed sentiment. In the words of a friend " he regards it as a violation of the first principle of economics for the Government to issue something called a dollar which has one meaning when expressed in silver and another when expressed in gold. What, then, must be its meaning when expressed in labor or merchandise ? When silver is forced on the coun- try stamped with a valuation higher than its com- mercial worth, we have a debased currency in its literal sense, and all history, all modern experience show that debased currency, like debased charac- ter, like everything intrinsically false, entails on the community certain evil and confusion. It is like any falsehood, cheap, possibly, at first cost, but al- ways paid for in the end at twice the price of truth." Pending the election of November 3, Mr. Davenport received a letter from the State Work- ingmen's Assembly at Buffalo, N. Y., requesting to be satisfied as to Ins action on certain measures which if passed by the following Legislature would reach the Executive. In reply by letter of October 7, 1885, Mr. Davenport said : "John Franey, Esq., " Chairman Executive Committee of the Political Branch of the State Workingmeii'x Axxembly, " My Dear Bib: In reply to yours of the 25th ult. I beg leave to say that I am in favor of all just and practicable legislation looking to the bettering of the workers, and if the people see fit to elect me to the office of Governor I shall not fail to acquaint myself to the best of my ability with the merits of any measure tending toward that end, and to take such action in relation to it as shall be in accordance with the rights of all. While I must act upon my conviction that it is not expedient to promise before- hand the executive sanction of particular laws in regard to which all interested parties have the right to claim an impartial hearing in the Executive Chamber, I may freely state that the line of legisla- tion on labor which is referred to in the platform of the late Republican Convention meets the approval of my judgment and of my feeling, and that all fu- - CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 149 ture legislations on that subject in the interest of friendly relations between capital and labor will be welcomed by none more than your obedient ser- vient, Ira Da.vexpoh'1 ." Mr. Davenport was, however, defeated in his con- test with Mr. Hill by a plurality of eleven thousand one hundred and thirty-four votes, his returns in Steuben County, however, being one thousand three hundred and eighty-nine. He was re-elected to the Fiftieth Congress by a plurality of thirteen thou- sand -even hundred and thirty. Mr. Davenport is a gentleman of cultivated tastes, with a keen appre- ciation of literature and art, and a relish for the hu- morous side of life, albeit of a reserved disposition. His manner is genial and engaging, however, and while modest and unassuming in conversation he yet displays originality of thought and firm conviction. Unostentatious and devoid of egotism, the acts of bis life denote " the earnestness of his thought od subjects that relate to the benefit of his brother- man, and his sense of personal responsibility to it." BEMIS, ASAPH STEBBINS, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Buffalo, for nine years a member of its Common Council, during three of which he was President of that body, and part of the time — in 18G1 — Acting Mayor of the city, was born there April 21, 1817, and also died there May 7, 1888. A resident within the limits of the city of Buffalo from his birth till his death, — a period exceeding the usual span of all but the most favored liver, — he was an eye-witness of its growth from a struggling frontier settlement containing only a few houses and a hundred or two inhabitants to a beautiful and nourishing city, lying far to the east- ward of the centre of civilization on the continent, boasting a population approximating to a quarter of a million souls and claiming rank in wealth and importance as the tenth or twelfth city in the Union. The Erie Canal was begun the year he was born ; and as a lad of eight years he took part in the cele- bration of its completion and opening. He saw the first steamers launched upon the lakes, and under his eye the commerce of these great inland water- ways developed from a fitful and precarious traffic to a trade of imperial proportions. Mr. Bemis was named after his father, Asaph S. Bemis, who was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1790, and was the eldest of four sons and seven daughters of Ben- jamin B. Bemis and Abigail Hall, his wife, after- wards residents of Cornish, New Hampshire, where Mr. Bemis' great grandparents. Benjamin Bemis and Tabitha Bowman Bemis, natives of England and de- vout Church of England people, lie buried under antique tombstones which commemorate in suitable prose and verse their many Christian virtues and their hope of a glorious resurrection. At his birth- place in Massachusetts, Asaph S. Bemis, senior, ac- quired a sound religious training, a good English education, and the trade of a currier and tanner. He inherited both the physique and the migratory instincts of his ancestors, and at the age of nine- teen, being then already six feet two inches in height and the possessor of several hundred dollars, he turned his back upon his New England home and friends and wended Ins way to Buffalo, then con- sidered by the pioneers as the " far West," and yet noted for the excellent commercial prospects which it held out to the youthful and ambitious. Taking employment at his trade, he settled down in the village and before long married Miss Aurelia St. John, the young and attractive daughter of Gama- liel and Margaret K. St. John, the ceremony being performed by Judge Oliver Forward on October 1(5, 1812. Following his marriage, he embarked in mer- cantile business as belter suited to the times, and appeared in a fair way to prosper when the devasta- tions of the War of 1812-15 swept from him every- thing save his young wife and her six-months-old child, and the horses and wagon with which they fled from the village, on that memorable morning in the history of Buffalo, December 30, 1813. During the ensuing three years the little family was domi- ciled at Clinton, in Oneida County, where a second child was born. When peace had again come to Buffalo, Mr. Bemis returned there with his wife and children, and resumed business as a merchant. The subject of this sketch, who was his third child, was born shortly afterwards. The elder Bemis died December 13, 1823, leaving a widow and six children. Mrs. Bemis, whose means were limited, supported herself by keeping a school, in which Asaph got his first "book learning." His later education was received in a military and scientific academy, under the management of the late Colonel James McKay, and he was also for a time a pupil in the school kept by the late LeGrand Marvin, in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church. When ready to begin work he took employment as a clerk in the dry-goods store of Moorhead & Adams, but after a year of this semi-confinement he con- cluded that his vocation was following the sea, and accordingly, in 1832, he shipped before the mast on board the schooner ''Cincinnati," Capt. L. H. Cotton, which was one of Pratt & Tayler's " Eagle Line." Although less than a hundred tons burden, this ves- sel was a profitable one to its owners. At the end of three years young Bemis had risen to the position CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. of mate of the brig " Indiana;" in 1837 he was pro- moted to master, and alternated from sailing ves- sels to steam craft both as mate and master until 1844, when he abandoned sea-faring life, although he had won a wide reputation as a most thorough pilot and a most skillful and intrepid navigator. On October 16, 1844, he married Miss Katherine Rebecca, daughter of Jonathan Sidway, a merchant by whom he was employed. There were four" chil- dren by this marriage, all of whom died in infancy. Forming a copartnership with his elder brother un- der the style of Bemis Brothers, (A. S. & E. S. J. Bemis) he opened, in 1840, a general ship chandlery and commission business, and also engaged in the shipping trade, owning several vessels. These sev- eral ventures yielded handsome returns, and in 1857 he retired from the business which was thereafter conducted by his brother. Having valuable real es- tate interests, during the remainder of his life the time not given to the public service was almost wholly engrossed by the management of his prop- erty. A sturdy follower of Henry Clay, Mr. Bemis was elected, in 1852, on the Whig ticket to the of- fice of Alderman from the Third Ward under the old subdivision of the city into five wards ; and in 1854, .having served two years, was re-elected from the Ninth Ward under the new City Charter divid- ing the city into thirteen wards. From 1855 to 1856 he held the office of Collector of Canal Tolls at Buf- falo, and in 1859-60 and 1861-62 represented the Tenth Ward, — in which he then resided — in the Com- mon Council. During the years 1860 and 1861 he was President of the Council, and in the latter year. Mayor Alberger being too ill to serve, he was elected Mayor of Buffalo pro tern, by vote of the Council. While acting in this high official capacity it fell to him to receive and entertain President-elect Abra- ham Lincoln on the occasion of his visit to Buffalo, en route to Washington to be inaugurated. On this occasion, memorable in the annals of the Nation as well as in the history of Buffalo, Mr. Bemis made a most felicitous speech, which had the happy ef- fect of eliciting from Mr. Lincoln a touchingly sin- cere and eloquent response which is remembered and spoken of to this day. It was the first import- ant utterance of Mr. Lincoln after his election, and hence attracted attention throughout the country. During the years 1861 and 1862 Mr. Bemis served on the Military Committee of Common Council — Mr. William G. Fargo being then Mayor — and was a vigilant member of the sub-committee having sole charge of the great labor of dispensing aid and relief to the families of volunteers who had gone to war. It is a matter of public knowledge that Mr. Bemis took scarcely any respite in this work while he remained a member of the Council. His heart was in the work and he labored at it both night and day. It is common report that the detail and meth- od of keeping the accounts owed a great deal to his practical ability to regulate the same. In July, 1862, President Lincoln appointed Mr. Bemis to the responsible position of United States Supervising Inspector of Steamboats of the Ninth District, em- bracing the waters of Lakes Erie, Ontario, Cham- plain, Memphramagog, and intermediate channels. He held this office about eleven years, during three of which he was President of the Board of Inspec- tors. He likewise served two years as Secretary. This Board, composed of inspectors of the ten dis- tricts, met annually, and frequently specially, for conference and the adjustment of rules and regula- tions to be observed by navigators. Mr. Bemis' personal acquaintance with the subjects considered gave great weight to his opinions, besides which his kindly and genial nature made him very popular with his colleagues: all of whom recognized him as an able and efficient officer. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Bemis, against his wishes, was again returned to the City Council for the term of two years, repre- senting the Fourth Ward. During the Centennial year he was President of the Council, and as such took a prominent part in the dedication and formal opening of the newly erected City and County Hail. To his careful watchfulness of the city's interests is partly due the fact that this magnificent structure, for which two millions of dollars was appropriated, was completed within that figure. Although he held no public office after this period he remained a public man until his death. One of his latest pub- lic services was in connection with the revision of the City Charter. As an official he was unswerv- ingly faithful to every public trust confided to his care. During nine years' service in the City Coun- cil no charge of wrong doing was ever brought against him. He watched the interests of his con- stituents with an untiring vigilance, and schemers and evil-doers found in him a determined opponent. He carried his practical business ideas into the Coun- cil, and was active and successful in formulating systems, adopting methods, and consummating plans for the proper and economical transaction of public business. He had in him all the elements of a successful public officer, but was utterly lacking in the suavity and willingness to hedge which al- ways characterizes the politician. Honest in his abhorrence of trickery, sham and hypocrisy, he was outspoken in his denunciation of them. No bland- ishments or promises could alter his honest views, and fraud never found in him a friend or received even a silent support. During his whole life he- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. was active in the performance of public duty. As I early as 1835 he was a member of the Hook and Ladder Company, and ran with the machine until exempt by reason of holding office. He was a val- ued member of the Firemen's Benevolent Associa- ; tion of Buffalo, (organized iu 1837,) down to the time of his death. He was also one of the original mem- bers of the Young Men's Association, which he helped materially in many ways during his long connection with it. As far back as 1835 he entered the Masonic Fraternity, becoming a member of Queen City Lodge, and attaining to popularity and prominence in the Order. He was a vestryman of Christ Church Parish, of Delaware Avenue, from its I organization, and was serving as second warden at the time of the consolidation of Christ Church and Trinity Parishes. He was elected to the new j vestry of the consolidated parishes, and also served faithfully and very efficiently as a member of the Construction Committee that had charge, until its completion, of the erection of the fine edifice, now known as Trinity Church. Being sympathetic and generous in disposition he became a member of and contributor to many of Buffalo's leading relief or- ganizations and charities. He was of stalwart form, robust and erect. His countenance was marked and striking. He wore his hair long and flowing, and his beard in the style made familiar in ' the portraits of the late Emperor William of Ger- many. Altogether his appearance was engaging as well as impressive. His character was no less posi- tive and marked than his personal appearance. Policy never guided his conduct or utterances, and he never sacrificed his self-respect to gain the popu- lar approval or the favor of those in power. All his life he paid great attention to reading, and was a profound thinker and a most excellent judge of hu- man nature. Presiding at his own home, he was a most hospitable host, a royal entertainer, and a genial and witty conversationalist. His compan- ionship was something to be coveted, and his friendship something to be prized. He was far | above common men, and his death brought grief to the entire city, for he was, in very truth, one of its best, and one of its greatest citizens. CHURCHILL, HON. JOHN C, LL.D., of Oswe- go, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Fifth Judicial District, was born at Mooers, Clinton County, New York, January 17, 1821. He is sixth in descent from John Churchill, who settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts, about 1640, and who married there, December 16, 1644, Hannah, daughter of William Pontus, a member of the Plymouth Company to whom King James granted, in 1606, the North American coast between 41° and 45° north latitude, or from the mouth of the Hudson to the mouth of the St. Croix. Their oldest son, Joseph, married Sarah, granddaughter of Robert Hicks, an eminent non-conformist of London, also a member of Plymouth Company, who sailed in the " Speedwell " in company with the "Mayflower" in 1620, and, on that vessel be- coming disabled, returned to England and in the following year landed in Plymouth. Joseph, grand- son of the last named couple, born in Plymouth in 1722, settled in Boston, where iu 1748 his son John was born, who married Sarah Stacy, of Salem, Massachusetts, and settled in New Salem, Massa- chusetts. Their third son was Samuel, the father of the subject of this sketch. Samuel Churchill was a farmer in moderate circumstances, who, to better his fortune, removed from New Salem, in 1804, to Clinton County, New York. In February, 1814, he married Martha, daughter of John Bos- worth, Esq., of Sandisfield, Massachusetts. Young Churchill spent his early boyhood at home, acquir- ing little beyond a good stock of health and the ru- diments of an English education, then deemed suf- ficient for a farmer's son. His aptness in reading and study showed him worthy of more extended advantages, and, with a little help from his parents, he was enabled to attend the Burr Seminary in Manchester, Vermont. Here his progress was so satisfactory that he was prompted to fit himself for college. His own energy and industry had to be relied on to obtain means to meet the necessary ex- penses, but they proved adequate, aud, after pursu- ing the complete course, he was graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in the summer of 1843. The ensuing two years he taught languages at Castleton Seminary, in the same State, and subse- quently, for a period of twelve months, was a tutor at Middlebury College. Having decided on adopt- ing the legal profession, he entered the Dane Law School, of Harvard University, and having com- pleted the required course of study was, in July, 1847, admitted to the bar. About this time the Chair of Languages in his A Ima Mater being tem- porarily vacant through illness of Prof. Stoddard, he was called to fill it and remained thus engaged several mouths. Early in 1848 he established him- self in the legal profession at Oswego, where he has since resided. A year later he married Miss Cath- erine T. Sprague, daughter of Dr. Lawrence Sprague, of the United States Army. Mr. Church- ill's career has been both a useful and an honorable one. From 1853 to 1856 he was a member of the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Oswego Board of Education, and during a part of the same period he was a member of the Board of County Supervisors. From 1857 to 1800 he held the office of District Attorney, and in the latter year was chosen County Judge. At the close of his term he was unanimously presented by the County for Justice of the Supreme Bench. His faithful discharge of these several duties induced his selec- tion to represent his District in Congress, and, in 1806, he was elected by a heavy vote to represent the Twenty-second District of New York in that body. During the XLth Congress he served on the Judiciary Committee, and with Mr. Boutwell and Mr. Eldridge formed the sub-committee that drafted the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitu- tion in the form in which it was finally adopted, to wit: '• The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude." On the question of the impeachment of President Johnson, he joined with a majority of the Judiciary Committee in a report in the affirmative. He presented a report, revising and improving the judiciary systems of the Territories of Montana a"nd Idaho. One of his ablest speeches before the House was delivered in support "f a bill for constructing a ship canal around the Falls of Niagara. In the XLIst Con- gress Mr. Churchill was Chairman of the Commit- tee on Expenditures mi Public Buildings, and was also on the Committee on Elections. He intro- duced at this Congress the Act to secure the purity and freedom of elections at which members of Con- gress are chosen, which subsequently became a law with slight amendment and furnishes the existing means for National supervision of such elections. The determined attempt to repeal this Act, and the equally determined defence which has kept it on the National statute book, show the importance at- tached to it. In 1870 Judge Churchill was a dele- gate to the Cincinnati Convention, which nominated President Hayes, and the following year (1877) he received the nomination for Secretary of State of the State of New York. During the years 1879 and 1880 he was again a member of the Oswego Board of Education, and President of the Board, which he resigned to accept the appointment of Justice of the Supreme Court, made by Governor Cornell, Jan- uary 17, 1881, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge Noxon. At the Presidential election in t he fall of 1880 Judge Churchill was elected as one of the Presidential Electors-at-Large for the State of New York, and as such voted for James A. Gar- field and Chester A. Arthur, for President and Vice- President of the United States. In the fall of 1881 Judge Churchill was nominated, and at the Novem- ber election chosen, by a majority of 11,092, Justice of the Fifth Judicial District of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, for the full term. The : degree of LL.D., was conferred upon him by Mid- dlebury College, Vermont, in 1874, and by Hamilton College, New York, in 1882. Judge Churchill's fine education, high legal standing, and large experi- ence in public affairs, combined with rare social qualities and a private life beyond reproach, have rendered him deservedly popular where he is best known, and give abundant promise of increasing usefulness and honor with increasing years. REMINGTON, PHILO, of Uion, for many years head of the world-renowned firm of E. Rem- ington »fc Sons, was born in Litchfield, New York, October 31, 1816, and died April 5, 1889, at Silver Springs, Florida, w hither he had gone for his health, after a few days' illness from bilious fever, which he had contracted in a Southern tour. The story of industrial progress is hardly ever without its romantic episodeat the start. In 1816 Eliphalet Rem- ington, senior, (father of our subject), the founder of the house, a youth maturing to manhood, worked upon his father's farm, a clearing in the wilds of Herkimer County, some eighty miles west of Al- bany. The farm, of considerable extent, lay upon the banks of a small stream, Clear Creek, which ran a little more than a league, with constant fall, down through a romantic gorge, to finally add its tribute to the Mohawk River. Fifty odd years have wrought wonderful changes in the stream and its relations. The Erie Canal and the large village of Dion now intercept its waters, which, according to the memory of old denizens of the neighborhood, I in—ess hardly more than half their ancient volume. A rough country road winds up " the gulf," whose hillsides, barren of trees, show cause enough for the decadence of the waters. One must not, how- ever, look for the change at the starting point. The old farm dwelling still stands ; but progress has done no more than erect a rustic saw-mill and an uncouth brick attempt at a sulphur spa for its sur- roundings. The spa is a failure, and the old mill only a suggestion for the sketcher. Time, as usual, has gone down stream with her changes, erected, where was not a single house at the commencement of the century, Ilion with its unique industry, dug out the great water-way from the West to the sea- board, and threaded the Mohawk Valley with the principal line of railroad in the Union. The first Remington arm was produced in this wise : Young. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 153 Eliplialet asked his father one day for money to buy a gun, and was met by very much such an answer as might be expected from a hard-working farmer. Unable to secure the desired gift from the paternal appreciation of his necessities, the boy was not, however, without hope or resource. One of the or- iginal properties of the farm was a forge, even then old from disuse, though still offering capabilities which ready wit and energy could turn to account. Eliplialet found no difficulty in securing enough iron about the premises for his purpose, and, with what might almost be termed inspiration, was soon able to get his material in proper condition for forg- ing. By persistent effort and a remarkable adap- tation of his crude appliances, he finally completed a barrel which satisfied his ambition. Beyond this it was impossible for him to proceed : the lock con- struction and the stocking being results altogether in advance of his material resources, at least. At the first opportunity he made a journey to Utica, then a considerable town. There he entrusted his barrel to a gunsmith, and soon had the pleasure of securing the object of his desire in a completed state. Happily the smith was clever enough and candid enough to recognize the really excellent quality of his customer's production. Whether it may have been a material superiority due, we must presume, rather to accidental cause than to any metallurgical practice or intuition, or whether the mechanical achievement was something extraordin- ary, neither tradition nor relict can now determine. The barrel was certainly so complete a success as to extort the praise of the expert, and young Rem- ington was so encouraged by this unlooked-for en- dorsement of his skill, that he soon followed up his first effort by others. That positive excellence must have distinguished not only the first production, but those immediately preceding it, is apparent. Suffice it that the fame of the new fabrication began soon to fill the country side, and the young producer found the resources of himself and the old forge taxeu to their utmost. Thenceforward he applied himself exclusively to barrel-making, gradually ex- tending his craftsmanship to the stocking and lock- fitting of the guns. From 1816 to about 1825 the business was prosecuted at the place of its iucep- tion, though the capacity of the "works" was measurably increased by the building of a stocking- shop and another small structure. At the start the fixtures of the forge available for use were, it need hardly be suggested, not only limited to the rare exigencies of farm-work, but of the crudest quality, and little better than relicts of usefulness. The grindstones used in the work, and fashioned out of the rough by the untaught artisan, were obtained from a quarry adjacent to or on the farm, and were of exceptional excellence ; a circumstance which indicates the kindly Providence that always helps those who help themselves. During the nine years' work at the head of the " gulf," the reputa- tion of Remington's production experienced nothing but good fortune ; the demand for barrels becom- ing, indeed, so much in excess of the capacity of his shops that customers used to resort to the spot and stay there till their wares were ready for them. In 1825, the Erie Canal having been made through the valley of the Mohawk, Mr. Eliplialet Remington, after a few years' hard experience of the difficulty of conducting his growing business at so considera- ble a distance from that thoroughfare, with .wise prevision of the future, purchased a large tract of land where now stands Ilion. His first erection, a low, one-story dwelling, is included in the present forging shop. The variet}- and capacity of plant for some years was not increased to any great ex- tent, though the distinct business of barrel-making experienced a natural and healthy growth. In 1835 the establishment of Ames & Co., of Springfield, Massachusetts, which had a United States contract for a number of thousands of carbines, wished to dispose of a portion of its award then uncompleted, and of its gun-finishing machinery. Mr. Reming- ton became the purchaser of both contract and plant. At this time, his first government contract necessitating an increase of shop capacity, he erec- ted a frame building, of considerable size for that day. which is still standing, and known as the "old armory." Before finishing the carbine order, the enterprise of the rising establishment was encour- aged by the reception of another contract — this time for 5,000 Harper's Feny rifles. Tools were forthwith made or bought and the work proceeded with, still another contract for 5,000 similar arms coming before the first was finished. At that date (1835 to 1840) the machine plant amounted to four milling machines, one stocking machine and one turning lathe, the fixtures or tools having to be changed as occasion demanded. It is worthy of record, that the experience of the father of the dif- ficult}* of possessing a gun was, though in a lighter degree, repeated by the sons, the story being that, when one of the sons asked his father for a fowling- piece, the latter answered that he would be more liberal than his parent had been with him ; that he would contribute the barrel, but the youngster must, in this instance, furnish the stock and lock himself. It is needless to add that the late head of the Remington Company had his fowling-piece in due time complete, but there is little doubt that the son's job of stocking and locking, with the appli- 154 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ances of Ilion, was a long way easier than his fath- er's shaping and finishing of the first Remington barrel in the old farm forge at the head of "the gulf." A story is told of the late Mr. Eliphalet Remington which well deserves mention here. With a unique patriotism he refused to take con- tracts for rifles from Jefferson Davis during his ad- ministration of the War Department because he be- lieved his guns would be used against the Union. When the war came on the Ilion Armory was first and most largely favored by the Government orders, and so promptly and honestly were the contracts executed that the Remingtons were given first rank in the list of manufacturers who had faithfully served their country in its exigency, in a special resolution of Congress, expressing the gratitude of the Republic. Philo Remington, inheriting his father's inventive genius, after a common school education and at Cazenovia Seminary, entered his father's factory, where lie was most carefully traiued into the use of every tool employed in the manufacture of firearms, and in time became me- chanical superintendent of the factory. Witli his brothers, Samuel and Jsliplialet, ( of whom he -was the oldest), the firm of E. Remington & Sons was established, and for over a quarter of a century he continued in charge of the mechanical department. In the course of his experience this firm probably produced a greater variety of firearms than any other like establishment, their breechloadiug rifle, of which millions have been sold here and abroad, being the best known of all their arms. The fall of 1870 doubtless witnessed in the Ilion Armory a larger number of men employed, a greater daily production and a more earnest concentration of thoughts and energies upon one subject, than the small arms business in this or any other country had ever known. The contract with the French government commenced about the middle of Sep- tember. The final installment was shipped in the first week of the succeeding May. During the seven months inclusive, from September 21 to the latter date, the number of service arms of its own production furnished and shipped to French ports from the Ilion Armory was about 155,000, a total result altogether unprecedented in the history of similar transactions. The arms composing this total were divided among the following classes : 130,000 rifles of 43-calibre : 5,000 carbines and 20,- 000 transformations. The Army and Navy Journal remarked of this great industrial achievement : "The resources of the great armory have, of course, been t^xed to the utmost. The buildings devoted to small arms manufacture have, for twenty hours of each working day, been crowded with workmen, from 1,300 to 1,400 employees having been all the time engaged. The largest daily production has been 1,400 rifles " (these figures are not large enough, each of the last three day's product having been 1,530 stand of rifles, with 1,300 stand on each of the working days preceding) " and about 200 revolvers, and the monthly pay-roll amounted to from $138,- 000 to $140,000." After the suspension of Victor Place, the French Consul at New York, by his gov- ernment for fraudulent practices, all of the pur- chases of war material passed through the hands of the Remingtons, and after the war was over the French Chambers passed a vote of thankful recog- nition of the ability and integrity of the American agents of their country. One of the early inventors of the typewriter placed his crude models into the Remingtons' hands, which they perfected, and it became one of the most popular instruments of the : kind. In 1886 they disposed of the typewriter manufacturing business, and soon after the firm went into liquidation. Since then Mr. Remington had lived in retirement. He was nearly twenty years President of the village of Ilion, and, with his brother, gave Syracuse University sums aggre- gating $250, 000. He also gave most liberally to charitable and religious institutions of the Metho- dist denomination, to which he belonged. He was a great lover and patron of inventors, and not a few of them owe their present prosperity to the helping hand which he extended. His fondness for young men of push and promise was also frequently shown. Intellectually Mr. Remington, though more of a worker than a student in his youth, was well equipped. As a practical manufacturer in his best days it would have been difficult to findhis superior, both as a judge of processes and material, and for his intuitive appreciation of the possibilities of machin- ery. In politics Mr. Remington was successively Whig and Republican. Though strong in his opinions to the degree of partisanship, with the ex- ception of serving once or twice on the electoral ticket in Presidential elections, he invariably re- fused to entertain nominations which the party leaders would have thrust upon him. In domestic life he found his most attractive charm. His death was greatly regretted wherever his name and fame were known, and particularly so at Ilion, where he had spent a lifetime in advancing the interests of the place. He leaves a widow and two married daughters, one the wife of Hon. Watson C. Squire, (formerly Governor of Washington Territory, and since the admission of that State into the Union, elected United States Senator, and now serving his term), and the other of H. C. Furman, of New York City. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 155 WINSTON, FREDERICK SEYMOUR, late Pres- ident of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, was born at Ballston Spa, New York, October 14, 180G, and died at Fernandina. Florida, (while temporarily absent from his home in New York City,) March 27, 188.5. Mr Winston's ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were origin- ally from England. Frederick Winston, his father, a Virginian by birth and a member of one of the oldest and most respected families of that State, emigrated to New York early in life and settled in Saratoga County, where be established himself as a farmer, and subsequently married Susan Seymour, who was of Connecticut birth, and of a good New England family. The subject of this sketch was the second child of his parents. He was brought up amid rural surroundings and under Christian influences, gaining from the one his robust phy- sique and excellent health and from the other those high moral and religious traits which through life remained among his most prominent characteris- tics. His education, carefully supervised by his intelligent and God-fearing mother, was obtained primarily in the common schools of his native place, and was finished by a term or two at an Academy of some note in Utica, New York, which was not only quite famous in its day but also well patronized. When he was about fifteen years of age, Frederick left his books to engage in business, finding employment as clerk in the store of Messrs. Halsted, Haines & Co., prominent wholesale dry- goods merchants of New York City. Trustworthy and intelligent, he soon won the confidence of his employers, and commanded by his diligence and ability promotion, step by step, through all the various grades in the house, being finally offered a partnership, which he accepted. His ideas, like his mind, were cast in a large mold; and although the prospects which this new connection held out were extremely flattering, pecuuiarih' and other- wise, he preferred an independent career, and, in consequence, sold out his interest in the firm a few years after his admission to it, and embarked in the dry-goods business for himself, opening a store in Pine Street, opposite the present palatial building of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, the site of which was then occupied by an old Dutch church and subsequently by the New York Post Office. In comparison with the magnificent structures at pres- ent devoted to this great branch of mercantile ac- tivity, the little Pine Street store was a very modest affair. A sketch of that part of the city, taken at the time Mr. Winston was in business there, is still preserved in one or two of the public and several of the private libraries of the Metropolis. This sketch presents to view the old church with its ample and pleasant yard, and on the opposite side of the street a row of small brick buildings, over one of which is seen a sign bearing the inscription " F. S. AVinstou & Co." By tact, energy, and a combination of qualities which rarely fail to command success in any department of effort, Mr. Winston built up by degrees a large business, and rose to a leading place among his compeers in the dry-goods trade. En- terprise tempered by prudence characterized all his transactions, and fair dealing and honesty his inter- course with his brother merchants. Conducted on these principles and absorbing almost the entire at- tention of its chief, the house of F. S. Winston & Co. prospered for many years, and eventually be- came one of the largest in the city. Mr. Winston was everywhere known as one of the most upright and conscientious of men. His kindly nature ap- preciated the struggles of the aspiring, and with a generosity which was in keeping with his numerous other large qualities, he freely extended the advan- tages of the credit system — then so largely in vogxie in the business world — to many of his customers. Bad debts were thus incurred, and during a period of business depression the firm failed. But this circumstance, although unfortunate in costing Mr. Winston the legitimate gains of a long and busy career, was the means of directing him into the path in which he was to achieve his real life work and greatest success. Honorably known to mer- chants, financiers and capitalists of New York and other large cities, Mr. Winston was elected, in 1846, a member of the Board of Directors of the Mutual Life Insurance Compairy, which had been organ- ized but four years previously. He had the esteem and confidence of his associates from his first ap- pearance among them, and on account of his influ- ence and popularity and long business experience, was at once placed on several of the most important committees. After settling up his business affairs he determined not to re-engage in mercantile pur- suits, and thenceforth concentrated all his attention and energy upon the business of insurance. The value of his services became every day more and more apparent to his colleagues, and through their confidence in and dependence upon him his duties were correspondingly increased. It soon became evident that he possessed superior fitness for the executive management of the company, and, this opinion being widely shared by those most con- cerned in its growth and success, he was chosen to the position of President in 1853. From the time Mr. W'inston had first became identified with the business of life insurance he devoted himself to ac- quiring a mastery of it. The value of his close 156 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. study of its various departments and problems was at once apparent when he assumed the executive function, and from that date the higher life of the company began. He devoted to its affairs his en- tire time aud attention, and daily from an early hour in the morning until a late one in the afternoon he was at his desk discharging the duties of his high trust. He gained and kept the entire control of the business, familiarized himself with every branch, and supervised every detail. His general course was marked by circumspection and conservatism, but in the presence of emergencies he invariably acted with freedom, boldness and decision, and always rose equal to the occasion. The great prob- lems presented to him by the events of the late Civil War were met with a degree of courage, equi- ty, foresight and patriotism which will always ex- cite profound admiration. In 1861, when hostilities began, the company held risks at the South as well as at the North. It was a time of great and universal excitement, of general apprehension on the part of the mercantile community, of financial stringency, of social disturbances, and, worse than all, the country was on the ve^ge of a civil war. Instantly the question arose — first, " What is the equitable status of policies held by Southern men ? " The declaration of war rendered it impossible to con- tinue relations with the South, just as it was impos- sible for Southern policy holders to meet their ob- ligations with the company; and yet there was the question of equity, "What is to be done with the money already received ': " In time Mr. Winston suggested, and his associates agreed, that the com- pany would assume that each policy held south of Mason and Dixon's line was tendered to the com- pany for surrender, and that it would accept the surrendered policy, paying the holder the value thereof. After this action a case was brought in the Supreme Court of the United States for the pur- pose of deciding the question, and after extended argument the Court settled it in conformity to the course pursued by the company. Obviously a still more delicate question arose at this juncture — namely, "What shall the company do with the policies held by soldiers in the Union ranks?" Many of the officers and soldiers were married, with families. They could not afford to be killed, leaving a valueless policy to their widows and children, and yet in thousands of cases all they would have to leave was a policy which, by the rules of the company, was void the instant they bore arms in any cause whatever. Here came to the front a wise, discreet determination, which carried comfort into many a home, and rendered resolute many a patriotic heart. Mr. Winston determined to carry the policies upon the books, charging an extra amount that seemed reasonable against the divi- dends, aud to pay the face of the policy in case of death. New risks were taken upon the same terms, and it is an interesting fact that the losses sustained by the company during the war and the extra amount received for policies held by soldiers balanced within a few dollars one the other. Dur- ing the long struggle Mr. Winston never swerved in his allegiance to the National Government. His patriotism was of the sturdy kind which is not con- tent short of deeds. From their very nature some of these were of the most public character. Such, for instance, was the support his company gave the Government by subscribing to its bonds. When the first call for a loan was issued the " Mutual " in- vested heavily of its funds in these securities. As the war progressed and the situation became more I grave the confidence of the business community in the National authorities waned to such a degree that neither in Wall Street nor in any other finan- cial centre of the world was the Government paper regarded as a safe investment at any price. Not- withstanding this depressing outlook, a small knot of clear-headed, patriotic business men never swerved in their loyalty, and prominent among them stood Mr. Winston. His faith, though se- verely tested, had not abated one jot, and his noble confidence made itself felt among his associates and friends. At one of the meetings of the Board held at a period when the great need of the Nation made it a suppliant for "the sinews of war" Mr. Winston boldly said to his associates: "We have considered Government bonds good enough to war- rant our investing lift}' per cent, of our assets in them. If they fail, we fail. If the country survives, we survive." The logic of this assertion was irre- futable and the " Mutual" continued to make large subscriptions to the Government bonds, and ad- hered to this policy throughout the darkest days of the struggle. Until the close of the Civil War Mr. Winston was unflagging in his support of the Na- tional Government. No attempt can be made in a sketch of this character to narrate the many patri- otic services he rendered. As illustrating their scope and extent it may be said that they included the organization of volunteer regiments and many prompt and generous contributions to the funds of the Sanitary Commission. The late Rev. Dr. Bel- lows, the famous President of that Commission, ac- knowledged in emphatic terms his great indebted- ness to Mr. Winston for help at the most critical junctures, and declared that the country was under heavy obligations to him for his usefulness and generosity. The Twenty-second Begiment was or- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 157 eanized in Mr. Winston's office, and the "Mutual" contributed $1,000 towards equipping it and dis- patching it to the seat of war. Mr. Winston also took the city bonds when they could not be nego- tiated elsewhere, and in this way rendered valuable assistance to the city when the authorities were severely pressed for money to carry on recruiting. In March, 1865, this latter action on Mr. Winston's part led to a public acknowledgment at the hands of the Board of Supervisors of New York County, Supervisor Elijah F. Purdy, the old " war horse" of the Democracy, offering resolutions which were unanimously adopted, thanking Mr. Winston for the prompt manner in which his company furnished funds to the Comptroller for recruiting purposes. It may be said that simply as a matter of judgment his abiding confidence in the ultimate success of the Government proved of the highest advantage to the company whose affairs he directed. Mr. Wins- ton was in no sense a politician, nor had he ever the slightest desire for political office. In I860 he was appointed a member of the Board of Commis- sioners of Emigration in the place of Mr. Cyrus Curtiss, who resigned in April of that year. Mr. Winston accepted this appointment from a sense of Christian duty, and filled the office with great abili- ty for a period of five years. The zeal and effi- ciency with which he discharged his duties in con- nection with it, showed that his whole heart was in the work. Familiarity with it only served to deep- en this interest and he watched over the welfare of the immigrants with a care and devotion that had their origin in a sympathetic and philanthropic na- ture. Through his earnest efforts and wide- reaching influence, which secured the co-operation of other prominent and philanthropic persons, the State Emigrant Hospital, Asylum and Refuge on Ward's Island were established. He looked upon this great and steady flow of emigrants to our shores as a stream of vitalizing life-blood poured into the heart of the Nation, and his earnest desire was that it should be carefully guarded and pre- served from contamination and the destructive in- fluences of sickness, squalor and irreligion. To this work he devoted himself unsparingly. Indeed, his labors were at times heroic and were prosecuted at the peril of his own life. This was especially con- spicuous during the second visitation of the cholera to the city of New York. Undaunted by fears for his personal safety and with the same true Christian zeal that had always actuated his philanthropy, he courageously visited the plague-stricken immi- grants and was unremitting in his efforts to save their lives or mitigate their sufferings. Neither the fears of his family nor the expostulations of well- meaning friends availed to lessen his sense of duty. He visited the sufferers personally, to make sure that they had proper medical attendance and nurs- ing, and administered to their spiritual wants by advising and praying with them in the most fervent spirit. In religious circles Mr. Winston was highly esteemed and honored. He was a life-long member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and took an active and prominent part in promoting its work and in developing and directing several of its lead- ing organizations. He was a Vice-President of the American Bible Society and of the Protestant Epis- copal City Missionary Society, and a member of the Foreign Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church. For many years he was an active member of the vestry of St. George's Church and Superin- tendant of its Sunday-School. In later years he at- tended Calvary Church (in Fourth Avenue at the corner of Twenty-first Street), of which lie was a Senior Warden. He was unostentatiously charita- ble, giving freely at all times to the aid of worthy persons, objects and institutions, and during his long life must have bestowed quite a fortune in this way. He took a great interest in the Sheltering Arms, and in the Aural and Ophthalmic Institute of New York, and was a trustee in each up to the time of his death. President Winston died, as he had expressed a wish to die, in the full tide of honor and distinction, and with little conscious pain and no lingering. He was struck with paralysis on his way home from a trip through the South, taken with a view of. recreation, which had included a visit to the Exposition at New Orleans, the fatal crisis occurring at Egmont Hotel, Fernandina, Florida, March 27, 1885, at 10 o'clock at night. He had experienced a slight attack of rheumatism dur- ing his vacation, but considered himself at the time to be, for his age, fairly redolent with health; but it appears now that he had overtaxed the vitality which remains to the most stalwart constitution at the age of seventy-nine, and that the relaxation in which he had been indulging for a few weeks was taken too late to recruit his exhausted powers. Upon the arrival of the remains of Mr. Winston in New York, they were taken to his late residence, No. 18 West Thirty-first Street, where, on the after- noon of Thursday, April 2, private religious ser- vices were conducted in the presence of the family and a few intimate friends. Afterwards the re- mains were taken to Calvary Church, followed by the relatives and a large concourse of sorrowing friends. Among the many present in the church were a number of the most distinguished citizens of New York, including the highest officials, eminent philanthropists and leading representatives of the 158 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. insurance, banking and mercantile communities, and prominent members of the various professions. During the course of a long and busy career Mr. Winston had occasion to befriend many poor people, and to extend a helping hand to many struggling young men, and to foster, not alone with words of encouragement but by liberal bene- factions, civilizing societies and humanitarian as- sociations. These flocked to the church in large numbers, adding materially to t lie vein of sentiment that pervaded the entire congregation and augment- ing perceptibly the volume of sorrow that a great and good man had been taken away, and paying, perhaps, as touching a tribute of affection, respect and esteem as any, even those more ambitious and more pretentious, coming from higher realms of social life and the more exclusive parlors of com- merce and finance. The services were conducted by W. Bacon Stevens, D.D., LL.D. Bishop of Penn- sylvania, and by Assistant Bishop Potter, assisted by the rector, the Rev. Dr. Satterlee, and his assist- ants. Previous to his death Mr. Winston had often expressed his wishes on the subject of funeral services, requesting that, when his time should come they should be confined to the stately sim- plicity of the Episcopal ritual for the dead. In compliance with Ibis desire Dr. Satterlee refrained from any expressions of eulogy or regret, while the Bishop read the services, and the choir, after an anthem, sang two hymns which were great favor- ites with Mr. Winston. The officers of the several corporations and societies with which Mr. Winston was so long and honorably connected called special meetings upon receiving information of his death, and passed resolutions of respect which bore inter- nal evidence of the high place the deceased bad held in their esteem. 1 Mr. Winston's perceptions, naturally acute, were sharpened by his long busi- ness experience. He was ever a close student of public affairs and his judgments were practically unerring. Politics, finance and commerce all came under his watchful eye, and his conclusions, based on careful comparisons and a profound know ledge of human nature, were seldom fallacious. He was invariably conservative and cautious, but, with a keen insight into affairs, he solved many problems before others had ceased to regard them as such, and, thus, was enterprising to a rare degree while not speculative. He was a many-sided man, and in every sphere of his efforts, business, patriotic, reli- gious and social, was a strong man. His salary for some years before his death was equal to that of the President of the United States. It was his only income, and as his charitable acts were of daily oc- currence, lie did not accumulate a very great prop- erty, although he left a handsome competence well invested, including a tine residence. Mr. Winston's domestic life was serene and happy. In 1833 he married Miss Lucy Cotton, of New York City, who survived him barely a twelve-month, dying March 14, 1886. His family consisted of six children, four of whom are living:— Mrs. George Gilpin, of Phil- adelphia, Mrs. Harvey B. Merrell, of Morristown, New Jersey, Mr. James C. Winston and Dr. Gusta- vus S. Winston. The two latter are connected in official capacities with the Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Frederick M. Winston, who died in 18CC. was a young man of great promise, and at the time of his death held the important office of cashier in the "Mutual." President Winston was most widely known as the real creator of the largest life insurance company in the world, and his rare mental endowments and peculiar qualities which showed him to be an enterprising as well as a wise and prudent manager ; but he was best known as, a Christian gentleman, in the highest conception of the term, a man of large heart and clear con- science, who loved God and his fellow-men. FAIRCHILD, SIDNEY T., one of the oldest and most distinguished citizens of Central New York, widely known, esteemed and honored for his exemplary life and character, was born at Norwich, New York, November ,15, 1808, and died at his home in Cazenovia, February 15, 1889. He was the eldest son of John F. and Flavia Fairchild. He became a resident of Cazenovia in 1835, and, after attending the Seminary then just instituted, entered Hamilton College, but soon removed to Union College, where he graduated in 1829. He studied law in the offices of Childs and Stebbins at Cazenovia, and of Joshua A. Spencer at Utica, and was admitted to the bar in 1831. He commenced the practice of law in partnership with E. P. Hurl- but at Utica. In 1834 he married Helen, the second daughter of the late Perry G. Childs, of Cazenovia, and in the following year, upon the death of Mr. Childs, removed to Cazenovia, and entered into partnership with the late Charles Stebbins, under the firm name of Stebbins & Fairchild. Upon the organization of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad Company this firm became its attorneys, and, upon the consolidation of this company, with others, into the New York Central Railroad Company, con- tinued in charge of its local business. About 1858, Mr. Fairchild was appointed General Attorney of the New York Central Railroad Company, having his office at Albany, and, since that time, continued. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 159 in the service of that company, viutil his decease, withdrawing latterly, however, from the charge of the general legal business of the corporation. His last work in his profession was the argument of a cause in the Court of Claims of the United States, in which the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company was complainant, and in which a favorable decision was rendered in January, 1889. He was a Director and the Secretary and Treasurer of the Third Great Western Turnpike Road Com- pany during the last twenty-five years of its exist- ence, a Director of the Madison County Bank, the President of the Cazenovia and Cauastota Railroad Company, and, for many years previous to his death, a Trustee of the Union Trust Company of New York. In his profession, Mr. Fairchild was thoughtful, studious, indefatigable, cautious, persistent, saga- cious, learned. As an adviser, he was discreet and candid. In the preparation of his cases he was thorough and exhaustive, both as to the facts, as far as possible, and as to the law. In making his briefs, it was his habit first to reflect long and deeply upon the principles involved, and then to resort to the books for authorities in support of his opinions, or for precedents which it might be necessary to combat. An adverse opinion, unless it was from the court of last resort and squarely upon the point, did not shake his convictions, once deliberately formed. In the earlier years of his practice it was his custom to make as complete a brief as possible, even in the most trifling cases. As an advocate, he did not possess or claim, and probably did not desire, the grace of eloquence or the power of persuasion. He never talked to the bystanders, or for display. His aim was always to enlighten the dullest juror in the panel, or to con- vince the court. His forensic efforts were, therefore, labored, exhaustive, and often prolix. As a drafts- man, both of pleadings and of other instruments, he was, probably, unsurpassed, if indeed he was equalled, in Central New York. For clearness, con- ciseness, comprehensiveness, aptness and neatness, his papers of all kinds were models. It was his habit, before drawing any intricate document, to reflect long upon the object sought, and, after formu- lating in his mind the scheme of the paper, to com- mit it to writing. It was rarely necessary for him to make a second draft, or to amend the original. It may be doubted whether there can be found upon the files of the court, or elsewhere, a paper of his which contains a proviso, or in winch is an erasure or an interlineation. Upon arriving at man- hood, after a candid and thorough examination of the questions which were at issue between the two great political parties, he, contrary to parental in- fluence, united with the Democratic party. For forty years, at least, preceding his death he was a prominent and trusted leader of that party, attend- ing its conventions, local, State and National, and largely influencing its policy, and the policy of the administration, whenever that party was in power. He was the valued friend and adviser of Seymour, Richmond, Cassidy, Hoffman, Tilden, Robinson and Cleveland, and his opinions were always received with respect and deference. He was, however, no slave to party platforms or political chieftains, and whenever his party strayed from what he regarded as true Democratic principles or practice, no criti- cism was more scathing than his. He never sought or held any office, except those of Clerk and Presi- dent of his village, and was never a candidate for office but once, and then only at the request and in the interest of a friend, and in a hopeless canvass. As a man he was absolutely pure and just. From this it resulted, that he had little tolerance of those whom he regarded as vicious or dishonest, and judged them unsparingly. His opinions were not borrowed from others, but were the product of his own intellect. They were his offspring, and he cherished and adhered to them with the tenacity of a parent. His convictions were not the subject of compromise, and his estimates of men were without qualification. Yet, withal, he was modest and unas- suming, and without a spark of personal vanity. To his friends, he was loyal and true. His time, his labor and his influence were ever at their service. To his dependents, he was a kind and indulgent master, always sympathizing and assisting them in troxible, and ever aiding them towards, and rejoic- ing in their prosperity. In the practice of his pro- fession, the widow and the helpless found in him a pains-taking, prudent and feeling adviser, defender and helper, and all without fee or reward. Into the sanctity of his domestic relations it is not the province of this sketch to obtrude farther than to say that for those who were nearest to him, he had a lavishness of affection, a wealth of tenderness, an intensity of devotion, and a depth of sentiment little suspected by those who knew him but casually, and it was there that his large-hearted, noble-minded manhood found its chief delight. Mr. Fairchild's surviving family consists of his estimable widow and three children: Katharine S., wife of John Stebbins of Cazenovia ; Hon. Charles S. Fairchild, late Secretary of the Treasury in the Cabinet of President Cleveland, and now President of the New York Security and Trust Company, New York City (see following biography); and Sophia C. F., wife of the Rev. Townsend G. Jackson, of Balti- more, Maryland. i6o CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. FAIRCHILD, HON. CHARLES • STEBBINS, LL.D.. United States Secretary of the Treasury iu 1887-9, and now President of the New York Security and Trust Company, was born in Cazenovia, New York, April 30, 1842, and is the son of the late Sidney T. Fairchild, one of the most prominent men of Central New York, and for many years attorney for the New York Central Railroad. (See preceding biography, i Mr. Fail-child's preliminary studies wen- made iu the common schools, and at the Oneida Conference Seminary at Cazenovia. He passed from thence to Harvard College in 1859, and gradu- ated from that university with the class of 18G3. He chose the law as a profession, and at once entered the Harvard Law School: and, after completing the prescribed course, he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1805. He removed to Albany, where he continued his legal studies, and was ad- mitted to the bar in I860. In 1871 he became a partner in the famous firm of Hand. Hale & Swart/., one of the most successful law firms in the State. Mr. Fairchild's name was added to the title of the firm, of which he remained a member until 1870. In 1874 he was appointed Deputy Attorney-General of the State by the Hon. Daniel Pratt, who had been chosen Attorney-General ; and in the ensuing year he was himself nominated by the Democratic party of the State of New York for the Attorney-General- ship, and was elected. It was the course which he followed while holding the office of Deputy Attor- ney-General which commended him to his party and secured him the nomination for the higher po- sition. Early in 1874 he represented the people, and conducted iu person the celebrated case against the New Y'ork Police Commissioners Gardner and Charlick. The skill which he displayed in the con- duct of this important trial, in which he was op- posed by some of the ablest lawyers of the metropo- lis, brought him into prominence and effected a substantial addition to his reputation. During the last of his two years' service as Deputy Attorney- General that office was made more than usually on- erous and important by reason of the legal proceed- ings occurring out of the reports of the Canal In- vestigation Commission. As fast as these reports were received by the Governor he transmitted them to the Attorney-General, with instruction to take such action as was necessary on the basis of the facts presented iu them. Referring to the work of the Attorney-General's office during 1875 the Albany Argus took occasion to remark : " It is no dispar- agement to Judge Pratt (the Attorney-General) to say that Mr. Fairchild has been the right arm of the Attorney-General iu the prosecution of the import- ant suits devolving upon the law office of the State." In the Democratic State Convention of 1875 Mr. Fairchild was recognized as the candidate most likely to succeed, and his nomination was made by acclamation. His name was proposed by the Hon. Rvifus W. Peckham. son of the late Judge Peckham, of the Court of Appeals, who, in the course of an eloquent speech, expressed himself as follows : " It is uot too much to say that, by rea- son of unavoidable engagements of Judge Pratt on other and official business, the department of the office of the Attorney-General devoted to the inves- tigation of these alleged caual frauds and to their prosecution has devolved upon Mr. Fairchild, and that as to those special matters he has been for the last year practically Attorney-General. That he has discharged those duties with ability and con- spicuous fidelity and discretion no one conversant with the subject for one moment doubts. He has thus become familiar with the questions at issue in these cases, both upon the law and upon the facts ; aud these questions will without doubt be the chief ones which will be discussed in the Attorney-Gen- eral's coming term of office. Under such circum- stances it would be not only impolitic but ungrate- ful to set aside a faithful and able public officer and place one in his stead not hitherto connected with the office." In the election which followed he received a majority vote of 23.302 over George F. Danforth, of Rochester, his Republican competitor. Out of this number, however, should be taken 7,274 votes, which were disallowed by the Board of State Canvassers, on account of an error in the votes cast for the Republican candidate. By virtue of his position of Attorney-General. Mr. Fairchild became also a Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund, a member of the Canal Board, a mem- ber of the Board of State Charities, a Trustee of the State Capitol, and a Trustee of the State Hall. Mr. Fairchild served as Attorney-General for two years. At the expiration of his term of office in 1878 he visited Europe, and remained there until 1880. Upon his return he engaged in the practice of law in New York City, where he remained until Presi- dent Cleveland appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in March, 1885. While holding tins office he was frequently called upon to represent Secretary Daniel Manning ; and when the latter was compelled by failing health to surrender his office Mr. Fairchild became Acting-Secretary. On April 1, 1887. the resignation of Mr. Manning went into effect, and President Cleveland appointed Mr. Fair- child Secretary of the Treasury. He held that of- fice until the end of President Cleveland's adminis- tration in March, 1889. In 1888 Mr. Fairchild re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Laws from Colum-. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 161 bian University and also from Harvard University. He is now President of the New York Security and Trust Company of New York City. In the latter part of September, 1889, Mr. Fairchild addressed a large audience in the hall of the Harlem Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, during the opening exercises of the season of 1889-90. In this address he referred to the good which the Associa- tion is doing in all parts of the world ; and said that the great duty incumbent upon its members was to come in contact as much as possible with other less fortunately situated fellow citizens. He did not believe that the young men were provided with all the luxuries which surrounded them in their beauti- tiful building for themselves alone, but that they should thereby be so fortified — bodily, mentally and morally — that they would be able to do their duty in an educational way by contact with people whose conditions of life or whose geographical position in this large city debarred them from the opportunity of such education in any other way. Of all the pres- ent social problems he believed that cities seemed to offer the most difficult ones. In reference to this fact he said : " The city is the heel of our American Achilles, the place where our popular government may be wounded to its destruction." Mr. Fairchild has ever held a position among his fellow citizens and throughout the country as a man of exalted, manly principles, and high rectitude of purpose, as well as one whose thorough acquaintance with affairs and remarkable intellectual grasp have enabled him to comprehend and control the duties and responsi- bilities of any position in which he has been placed. Personally, he is affable and genial, and greatly re- spected and admired by those who know him most intimately. ERICSSON, JOHN, one of the most distinguished engineers and inventors of the age, was born in Langbanshyttan, province of Wermland, Sweden, July 31, 1803, and died at his home in New York City, March 8, 1889. His father, Olof, was a mining proprietor, and his brother, Baron Nils Ericsson, was colonel of engineers and became chief of the Swedish railways. On the high-road of the quaint village of Langbanshyttan stands an iron shaft on a pedestal of coarse granite. It bears an inscription, of which the following is a translation : In a miner's hut at Langbanshyttan were born the two brothers Nils Ericsson, January 31, 1802, and John Ericsson, Jdly 31, 1803. Both honored their native land. Their way through work to knowledge and lasting fame is open to every swedish youth. John's mother, Sophie, was a woman of excellent family and of superior education, whose father lost a fortune in unlucky investments. John was born in the midst of mines and iron works, and the first sound he heard was the clang of the cumbersome machinery used for drawing coal from the mines. As a boy he had ample opportunity for watchiug the mechauism connected with the mines, and his natural talent was thus early developed. His earli- est instruction was received from a Swedish gov- erness, and a German engineering officer who had served under General Bernadotte. Before he was eleven years old the boy had designed the model of a miniature saw-mill, which he constructed with his own hands and after his own plans, and had made numerous drawings of complicated mechanical con- trivances. Among these, one of a new variety of pumping engines was shown to Admiral Count Platen, and so interested this celebrated engineer that he appointed young Ericsson a cadet in the Corps of Mechanical Engineers, and after six months made him a leveler at the Gotha ship canal, of which Count Platen was chief of construction. Two years later, at the age of fourteen, the boy was engaged to set out the work of a section employing six hundred soldier operatives, while he occupied his leisure in making drawings of every implement and machine connected with the canal. At the age of seventeen, despite tli eprotest of Count Platen, the lad entered the Swedish army as an ensign, and was rapidly promoted to a lieutenancy, gaining this rank on account of his beautiful military maps which had even attracted the attention of King Charles John (Bernadotte). Shortly afterwards he passed with distinction a competitive examination for an ap- pointment on the survey of northern Sweden. Not- withstanding the labor attendant upon his duties as a surveyor, he undertook to make drawings for a work on canals and to engrave the plates in the style; which was known as machine engraving. When about twenty-two years old he constructed a condensing flame engine of ten horse-power, and in 1826 he went to England to introduce it. It was, however, not successful. In 1827, after having been promoted to a captaincy in the army, he resigned his commission, and thereafter devoted himself to mechanical pursuits. He produced in rapid suc- cession an instrument for the taking of sea sound- ings, an hydrostatic weighing machine, tubular steam boilers, and artificial draft, by centrifugal fan-blowers, dispensing with huge smoke-stacks, economizing fuel and showing the fallacy of the as- sertion that the product of steam was dependent upon the amount of fire surface. In the steamship " Victory," in 1828, he made the first application of l62 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the principle of condensing steam and returning the water to the boiler ; and in the same year submitted to the Admiralty his self-acting gun lock, the pecu- liarity of it being that by its means naval cannon could be automatically adjusted at any elevation, notwithstanding the rolling of the ship. He did not succeed in disposing of this invention in England, and kept it secret until 1843, when he applied it to the wrought-iron gun of the " Princeton." In 1829 the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad offered a prize of five hundred pounds for the best loco- motive, capable of fulfilling certain stipulations. The prize was awarded to George Stephenson with his locomotive "Rocket," which was planned by his father; but his sharpest competitor in the con- test was John Ericsson. On the issue of the trial turned the future of the railroad system in England. Ericsson produced the celebrated steam engine " Novelty," which was planned, completed and placed on the trial ground within seven weeks. The speed demanded by the railroad directors was only ten miles an hour. Ericsson's engine made thirty. It is related that astonishment for the moment silenced the multitude who watched the contest, and then their excitement found vent in enthusiastic ap- plause. Railroad shares went up ten percent., and the voting engineer might well have considered his fortune made ; but disappointment awaited him, for, in spite of much adverse criticism, the judges de- cided to make traction power rather than speed the critical test, and the prize was awarded to the "Rocket," which drew seventeen tons for seventy miles at the rate of thirteen and a-half miles an hour Four features introduced into the "Novel- ty " by Ericsson are retained in the locomotive of the present day. In 1829, also, he invented a steam fire engine, which excited great interest in London, and for which he afterwards received (in 1840) the great gold medal of the Mechanics' Institute at New York. But by far the most important invention to which Ericsson laid claim, and which, according to the present accessible testimony must be justly as-, signed to him, is that of the screw propeller. Eng- land, France, Germany and Sweden all contend for their own inventions, and even China asserts prior- ity : nevertheless it may be safely said that Erics- son's claim to the invention stands on a firmer foun- dation than any other. He patented his new pro- peller, which revolutionized navigation: and his first boat, the "F. B. Ogden," w T as propelled on the Thames in 1836, at the rate of ten miles an hour. In 1837 he built a vessel having twin screw propellers, which on trial towed the American packet ship " Toronto" at the rate of five miles an hour on the river Thames. Subsequently the ad- I miralty barge, bearing the Lords of the Admiralty, | was towed at the rate of nine and one-half miles an hour : but the endeavor to convince them of the practicability of the new device was a failure, since they thought that as the power must be applied from the stern the vessel would not steer. Captain R. F. Stockton, then in Loudon, and a friend and relative of John T. Stevens, of Hoboken, was so sat- isfied with Ericsson's success that, in 1838, he en- gaged him to construct a vessel for the Delaware and Raritan Canal. This boat, named after Captain | Stockton, was sent from Liverpool to New York under sail in the spring of 1839, her machinery be- ing stowed in her hold. Her name was changed by Act of Congress to the " New Jersey," and she was employed as. a tow-boat on the river Delaware for a quarter of a century. At this time Ericsson was superintending the engineering of the Eastern Counties Railway in London ; but, urged by Com- modore Stockton, he resigned his position and came to the United States, in November, 1839. Soon af- ter his arrival his remarkable abilities were recog- nized by the Government, and, in 1841, under or- ders from the United States Navy Department, he furnished designs for the screw war-ship " Prince- ton" — the first vessel having her propelling ma- chinery below the water line and out of reach of hostile shot. This vessel dictated the reconstruc- tion of the navies of the world ; and besides its screw propeller, it was remarkable for numerous mechanical novelties devised by Ericsson, — suchas a telescopic wrought-iron gun carriage, and an opti- cal instrument to enable the commanding officer when making an inspection to ascertain accurately the distance of the object to be aimed at. The " Princeton " is correctly regarded as the pioneer of modern naval construction, also as the foundation of the steam marine of the world. This was the vessel I on which the " Peacemaker" gun burst in 1844, kill- ing, among others, the Secretary of the Navy. Meanwhile, the first French screw line-of-battle ship was launched, also the first screw vessels of J the British navy, the " Dw arf " and the " Rattler." Prior to 1843 numerous propeller vessels were built and furnished with engines by Ericsson for carry- ing freight on the rivers and inland waters of the United States, and his propellers were in successful application to more than sixty vessels in this coun- try before a single attempt was made to evade his patent. In 1851, in the United States division of the World's Fair, held in London, Ericsson exhibi- i ted several of his inventions — the hydrostatic gauge, for measuring the volume of fluids under pressure; the alarm barometer ; the deep sea lead, | contrived for taking soundings at sea without stop- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ping the vessel's way ; and others. For these ex- hibits Ericsson was awarded the prize medal of the exhibition. Ericsson's pet invention was the Caloric Engine, which was realized as early as 1833, and was hailed with astonishment by the scientific world of London. Lectures were delivered on it by Dr. Dionysius Larduer and Michael Faraday. A working engine of rive horse-power was bnilt, but it was unsuccessful, owing to the high temperature required, which actually destroyed the valves and other parts by oxidation. In 1853 the Caloric ship " Ericsson," of 2,000 tons, was propelled by a motor on the same principle. A sea trial from New York to Washington established great economy in fuel, but at a speed too slow to compete with steam. For several years thereafter Ericsson devoted him- self to the improvement of a stationary Caloric en- gine and its application to high mechanical pur- poses, and more than six thousand of such engines have been built up to 1887, hundreds being em- ployed in New York City in pumping water into private dwellings. In 1802 the American Academy of Arts and Sciences awarded the gold and silver Kumford medals to Ericsson "for his improve- ments in the management of heat, particularly as shown in his Caloric engine of 1858." Previous to 1836 Ericsson conceived the idea which was put in practical shape when, in 1854, he presented to Em- peror Napoleon III. plans of a partially submerged ! armored vessel, with guns in a revolving shot-proof cupola placed centrally on the deck. This was the first suggestion of the " Monitor," which was de- signed and built by him in Greenpoint, New York, in 1861, for the United States Government, under very arbitrary conditions. The calculations and working plans were made, and the ''Monitor" launched with steam machinery complete, within one hundred days from the laying of the keel. She ; arrived in Hampton Roads just in time to defeat, on March 9, 1862, the Confederate ironclad " Mer- rimack," which on the day preceding had destroyed the " Cumberland " and "Congress," and was about to sink or disperse the rest of the Government's wooden fleet. But for the victory of the "Moni- tor " the result of the war might have been changed and European interference attempted. Other iron- clad vessels of the " Monitor " type were built with extraordinary rapidity after the victory at Hamp- ton Roads. Six of them, in Charleston harbor with- in fifty-two days, were struck by hostile shots an aggregate of six hundred and twenty-nine times without one of them injuring their side armor, tur- rets or pilot-houses. The " Weehawken " defeated and captured the Confederate ram "Atlanta;" and the " Montauk " destroyed the " Nashville." In 1864 the "Monitor," captured the ram "Tennessee." Russia, Sweden, Norway and Turkey then adopted the American turret system; and when the " Mian- tonomoh " crossed the ocean, even the British con- struction yielded and carried it out on a far larger plan. In 1864 Ericsson constructed for the Spanish government a fleet of thirty steam gun-boats, which was intended to guard Cuba from filibustering par- ties. In 1881 he devised his latest war vessel, the " Destroyer." This was an iron boat with the hull almost entirely submerged. Upon this hull, placed well aft, was a deck-house of iron. The hull was one hundred and thirty feet long, twelve wide and eleven deep. It was a double-ender and propelled by an engine of 1,000 horse-power. The steering apparatus, the gun, and, in fact, all of her effective appointments were below the water level. The armament consisted of a single gun, which was just above the keelson in the forward part of the boat, its muzzle opening directly into the water. It was sixteen inches calibre, and discharged three hundred pounds of gun cotton in a one thousand five hundred pound projectile, which could be di- rected against an ironclad's hull beneath the water line. One of Ericsson's peculiar inventions was his " sun motor," which was erected at New York in 1883, and winch succeeded in developing a steady power obtained from the supply of mechanical en- ergy stored up in the sun's rays. This solar engine was worked by using a lens to concentrate the di- rect rays of the sun; but it was not found .to be- practical. Ericsson contributed numerous papers on scientific, naval and mechanical subjects to vari- ous journals in America and Europe. Many honors were bestowed upon him. Besides various Swedish orders and decorations, he was a Knight Commander of Loyal Orders in Denmark ami Spain, and he re- ceived the Grand Cross of naval merit from the late King Alphonso of Spain, and a special gold medal senl by the Emperor of Austria for advancing naval science. He also received the thanks of Congress. He was a member of various scientific institutions in Europe and America. Wesleyan University gave him the degree of LL.D., in 1862. In 1867 a huge monument, quarried from one piece from a neigh- boring granite mine, was set up in his birthplace, bearing the inscription in the Swedish language : JOHN ERICSSON was born here 31st of July, 1803. This was in addition to the memorial monument and inscription already described. For over a quarter of a centurj' Ericsson lived in the house in which he died, No. 36 Beach Street, New York, — a plain, old-fashioned building. He was a widower 164 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. and childless. For a long time prior to his death lie had been gradually sinking under an attack of Brisiht's disease of the kidneys, but it was not until a week before his end that he permitted medical service to be employed. His last words are said to have been : " Have I, then, got to die ?" EDISON, THOMAS ALVA, was born on the 11th of February, 1847, at Milan, Erie County, Ohio, which at that time was a flourishing town numbering several thousand inhabitants. It is sit- uated at the head of the Milan Canal, four miles from Lake Erie, and its decline subsequent to the birth of Edison is attributed to the building of the Lake Shore Railroad and the consequent falling off of the canal traffic, which compelled the parents of young Edison to seek a living elsewhere, and they settled themselves at Port Huron, Michigan. Sam- uel Edison, the father of Thomas Alva Edison, is a man of Dutch descent, whose pedigree can be traced for several centuries. In 1730 some of the family emigrated to America, and the grandfather of Samuel Edison was one of the leading bankers on Manhattan Island at the time of the Revolution. This family is notable for the longevity of its mem- bers. Samuel Edison, who has already reached the ripe old age of 87 years, is hale and hearty, and his grandfather and great-grandfather attained, respec- tively, the ages of 102 and 103 years. The mother of Thomas Alva Edison, whose maiden name was Mary Elliott, was a native of Massachusetts, of Scotch parentage. She had the benefit of a good education and taught her son, Thomas Alva, the rudiments of learning — in fact, he derived his edu- cation from the lessons of this admirable woman, for lie was not at a regular school for more than two months together. At the age of twelve years, young Edison had read through Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," Smiles' "History of the World," and Hume's " History of England" and " History of the Reformation," and a number of treatises on scientific subjects. It was at about this period that he commenced his career as a " newsboy " on the Grand Trunk Railway, running between Port Huron and Detroit, an employment which would have been sufficient for almost any ordinary boy. Not so, however, with young Edi- son. While personally engaged in supplying trav- elers between these two cities with the news of the day, and edibles of various degrees of indigesti- bility, for which, owing to some mysterious reason, the human appetite is only developed on a moving train, he was conducting a book store, a vegetable store and a news stand in the town of Port Huron, each of these being a separate and independent enterprise. His employes numbered eleven boys. The supplies for his vegetable store were brought by him from Detroit and other points along the line of railway, and he secured permanent advantage over his competitors by carrying his freight in the United States mail car, where his friendly relations with the mail clerk secured him freedom from transportation charges. He was now obliged to spend a portion of his time in the city of Detroit, and having no commercial interests there to oc- cupy his time, he set himself the ambitious task of reading through the Detroit Free Library. The largest shelves were at the bottom and contained the largest books. Commencing at the left, hand corner of the first row he went systematically to work. The Penny Encyclopedia gradually yielded up the knowledge stored within its pages, as vol- ume after volume was taken out, perused and re- placed by this energetic youth. Burton's "Anat- omy of Melancholy," said to be the prime favorite of Samuel Johnson, and the only book which se- duced him from his pillow earlier than usual, fol- lowed, and was succeeded by Ure's " Dictionary of the Sciences." Then came Newton's " Principia," and here he formed his first opinion in regard to mathematics, which has not been materially altered to this day. He read diligently through the work, understanding an occasional portion of it, until fi- nally he sought assistance, applying to a baggage master on the train for an explanation of one of the problems. "This man," says Edison, "explained the problem to me by the use of very simple lan- guage and without the employment of mathematics. I at once came to the conclusion that Newton could have dispensed his knowledge in a much wider field had he known less about figures. It gave me a distaste for mathematics from which I have never recovered. If I were asked to explain the phono- graph to one unfamiliar with it, I would not dis- play all the tools and machinery which are used in making the instrument. I look iipon figures as mathematical tools which are employed to carve out the logical result of reasoning, but I do not con- sider them necessary to assist one to an intelligent understanding of this result." Early in the j T ear 1862, while still engaged in the various occupations already referred to, Edison turned his attention to journalism. A freight car attached to the train in question had been altered for transporting baggage and for the accommodation of smokers, but being deficient in those comforts which lovers of the weed demand, this portion of the car was seldom occupied, and Edison proceeded to appropriate it to his own CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. I6 5 use. The Detroit Free Press, one of the leading news- papers of that city, was about to effect a change of dress, and Edison negotiated with the manager for the supplies required to rill his fonts and also for a number of stereotypes such as are used to make up what, in technical journalistic language, are called "Patent Insides." These he transferred to his "den " in the baggage car, and proceeded to issue The Grand Trunk Herald. He combined in his own person, proprietor, editor, reporter, typesetter, "devil "and vendor. The columns of the paper were devoted to local news along the railroad and train gossip interesting to employees of the line. The subscribers numbered over four hundred and the paper ran through about forty numbers. Para- graphs from this journal were quoted in the London Times, and the celebrated engineer, George Steph- enson, as he was traveling on -the train, once bought a copy and took occasion to compliment young Edison for his enterprise. It remains to-day the first and only newspaper ever published on a railway train. It is not generally known that this journal had a contemporary under the same man- agement, but published under somewhat different circumstances. Edison had formed the acquaint- ance of a "devil" in the office of the Port Huron Oommeroial. During the day these two youths collected news of a somewhat persoual nature rela- tive to their acquaintances, and repairing at night to the Commercial office, they set in type the re- sult of their investigations, which appeared the next morning on a sheet called Paul Pry. For months this paper continued to be circulated. No one knew where it came from or who was re- sponsible for its issue. Eventually, however, a young man who had been treated to a somewhat severe notice in its columns, discovered the author, and expressed his appreciation by throwing young Edison into Lake Huron. After this Paul Pry was discontinued. Edison's " sanctum" in the bag- gage car was also used by him as a chemical labora- tory, and passengers used frequently to come and watch him analyze the various liquids and sub- stances which he was investigating. On one unfor- tunate day when engaged in some experiments he upset a phosphorus bottle and set the car on fire, in consequence of which he was summarily ejected. An incident occurred during Edison's career as a newsboy which graphically illustrates his foresight and enterprise. It was customary at the various sta- tions along the line to hang out a blackboard which was intended to display the anticipated time of ar- rival of the different trains, but was seldom if ever used for this purpose. Edison saw where he could make use of this vacant space. By agreeing to de- liver a daily paper and two or three monthly jour- nals for the term of one year he subsidized the op- erator at Detroit, and arranged for an outline of the news of the day to be telegraphed ahead to the dif- ferent stations, where the operators, for a like con-» sideration, bulletined the news upon the black- boards. The war between the Northern and South- ern States was at this time in progress, and just about this date was fought the battle of Pitts- burg Landing. The papers came out with double leaded headings a column and a half in length, and announced fifty thousand men killed and wounded. Excitement in Detroit reached fever pitch, and Edison, quick to take advantage of any circum- stance, saw here an opportunity to reap a golden harvest. His usual custom was to buy one hundred and fifty papers, which were ready for him in the press room each day about half an hour before the train on which he worked was due to leave, and he i had only sufficient money to purchase that number. He had but little time to formulate a scheme to se- cure a large edition, but he proved himself equal to the occasion. Hurrying to the telegraph office, he sent out paragraphs for his bulletins. He then went to the engine driver, who agreed, presumably for a consideration, that should Edison not be on hand at starting time, the engine would be out of order for the space of five minutes. These prelimi- naries arranged, young Edison rushed off to the Detroit Free- Press office, and sought an interview with the manager and editor, Mr. William F. Sto- rey, to whom he confided his wants, asking to be trusted for a thousand copies, of that day's issue. A note from Mr. Storey to the manager of the press room, worded, "Give this boy a thousand papers" secured the coveted edition, and Edison marched triumphantly back, boarded his train and enlisted the services of the baggageman and brakeman to help him "fold." "At Utica," he says, "the first station out from Detroit, and about twelve miles distant. I usually sold two papers, the customary charge being five cents each. As we approached the station on this day I put my head outrto look forward and thought I saw an excursion party. I had a half dozen papers in my hand. As we came nearer and the people caught sight of me, they commenced to gesticulate and shout and it sud- denly occurred to me that they wanted papers. I rushed back into the car, grabbed an armful, and when I got upon the platform I sold forty. Mount Clemens was the next station. When it came in sight I thought there was a riot. The platform was crowded with a howling mob, and when the tones became intelligible I realized that they were after news of Pittsburg Landing, so I raised the price of 1 66 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. papers to ten cents and sold a hundred and fifty where I had never before disposed of more than a dozen. As other stations were reached these scenes were repeated, but the climax came when we got to Port Huron. The station there was a mile from the town. When the train stopped I shoul- dered my bundle and started for the city. When I had got less than half way I met a crowd hurrying towards the station. I thought I knew what they were after, so I stopped in front of a church, where a prayer meeting was being held, raised the price to twenty-five cents per copy and commenced to take in a young fortune. In two minutes the prayer- meeting was adjourned, the members came rushing out and if the way coin was produced is any indi- cation, I should say that the deacons hadn't passed the plate before I came along." He now turned his attention to telegraphy in the following manner: Standing on the platform of Mount Clemens station, he saw the son of the station-master, a child of three years, in danger of being run down by an approach- ing train. Springing to his assistance, Edison suc- ceeded in getting the boy off the track a few seconds before he would have been crashed beneath the wheels of the locomotive. The child's father out of gratitude offered to teach Edison telegraphy, and here his career as an operator commenced. He rapid- ly acquired the art and as rapidly turned it to profit- able account. The telegraph office was some dis- tance from the town. Edison strung a wire from the station to a drug store, equipped it with instru- ments, placed an assistant at the other end, and received ten cents for each message which he re- peated over his private line, which was, however, in a few months sacrificed to " corporation greed," as the Western Union Telegraph Company, noting the profitable business which Edison was building up, ran one of their own wires to the town. From Mount Clemens Edison went to Port Huron. The operator in the Western Union Telegraph office had gone to the war, and Edison was engaged to take his place at a salary of twenty dollars per month. The office -was in a jeweler's store and through it passed one of the trunk wires between Buffalo and Detroit, over which were sent specials and reports of various kinds for the press of the latter city. It was announced one afternoon that a message from the President of the United States to Congress was to be transmitted, and newspaper men and others were anxious to learn the text. The proprietor of the jeweler's store, who was also the Western Union agent, was offered sixty dollars if he could obtain this record, and he in turn offered Edison twenty dollars if he would receive it. Edison agreed, and for several hours while the message I was being transmitted lie sat in front of the instru- ment and made copy, which the agent read as it came to an interested gathering. When the task was ended and Edison asked for the promised j twenty dollars, he found out what risk is sometimes incurred in performing a service upon the promise of reward. This agent desired to apprentice Edi- i son for a term of three years, but the boy's father would not permit it, and he gave up his employ- ment in the jeweler's store. His next engagement was at Stratford, Canada, as night operator on the Grand Trunk Railway. Everything ran along smoothly enough until one night he received in- structions by telegraph to hold a certain train for orders. The rule was that when an operator re- ceived instructions of this nature he should imme- diately set out his signal to stop the train, and then reply to the train dispatcher. Edison replied before signalling and when he reached the platform the train had passed. He could see the lights on its rear end in the distance. At the bottom of the sta- tion yard was a freight depot where trains some- times stopped. He hoped this train would stop there and ran down the track to hold it should it do so, but had only taken a few steps when he fell into a culvert, cutting and bruising himself severely. By this time the train was out of sight. He re- turned to the telegraph office and informed the dis- patcher of his mishap. The latter quickly called up another office and asked if a certain train had left. The reply came that it had. " Then," said the dispatcher, "there's going to be a collision." There was nothing to do but await the result. It came, but was not as serious as it might well have been, the drivers of the respective engines having seen each other in time to prevent disaster. For this Edison was summoned to Toronto to appear before the General Manager, Mr. W. J. Spicer, who was noted for his severity of manner. " Young man" said Mr. Spicer, " this offence of yours is a very serious one and I think I shall make an exam- ple of you. I can send you to the penitentiary for five years, and — " "Just at this moment," says Edi- son, " two English swells came in, and Mr. Spicer, now all affability, rose to greet them. They engaged him in conversation and as I couldn't see that they really needed me around there, I slipped quietly out of the door and made for the freight depot where I found a train about to start for Sarnia. I knew the conductor, told him I had been down in Toronto on a little holiday excursion and said I'd like to take a run up the line with him as far as Sarnia. He told me to jump aboard and I wasn't long in getting out of sight, but my pulse didn't get down to normal work until the ferry-boat between CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 167 Sarnia and Port Huron had lauded me iu the latter town. I haven't been in Toronto since that time." Edison's next employment was at Fort Wayne, Indiana, but was of short duration. The manager of the telegraph office had a friend whom he de- sired to place in Edison's position and the latter was discharged, and proceeded to Indianapolis in the > same State. He was now becoming very proficient in the art of telegraphy, and like all ambitious operators, aspired to taking " report," which, be- sides requiring a higher order of skill than the hand- ling of ordinary despatches, was also more remuner- ative. His regular work necessitated his presence at his desk during the hours of the day only, but his industry and his desire to succeed were so great that the early hours of the morning often found him seated before a set of instruments as busily engaged as any of the regular night staff. The all-absorbing question which occupied his mind was how he could obtain control of a report wire and insure suc- cess in working it, and at last he hit upon a scheme which was, to say the least, ingenious. It was necessary for him to have a confederate, whom he found in the person of a fellow operator, who, like himself, aspired to greater deeds, and together they commenced to mature their plans. In those days there could be found in every telegraph office an instrument which is now somewhat obsolete — the old tape recorder — a machine which impressed the dots and dashes on a continuous strip of paper to be subsequently read by the eye. One of these was put in circuit on the report wire and another of the same instruments was set up alongside it. The tape, after passing through the first machine and record- ing the indentations made by the lever point, was run through the second instrument, which was so arranged that when its lever point passed over these indentations it opened the circuit of a sounder, which closed again as soon as the indentation had passed, the result being that the first recorder would receive its impressions at the rate of forty words a minute, but by feeding the tape more slowly into the second machine the speed could be reduced to a point where these young men could make their copy with accuracy and safety. These preliminaries be- ing satisfactorily arranged, the conspirators applied for permission to take report, the manager agreeing to give them a trial. An examination of their work next morning proved its excellence. The copy was 1 perfect and the manager delighted. For several weeks they continued to furnish "copper-plate" transcriptions. The " sending " operator was ques- tioned as to whether he was interrupted very fre- quently by the Indianapolis office, and he replied that Indianapolis never "broke" line — and in truth they did not, for they had no need of doing so. It mattered not how fast the dots and dashes came in, their " receiving operator" had a capacity for record- ing that no human operator ever had. The tape was fed into a basket, where it was sometimes al- lowed to accumulate while a lunch was being par- taken of by these hard worked young men, for it was only necessary that their copy should be sent to the different newspaper offices in good season to be distributed and set in type for the next morning's issue, thus giving them an opportunity to finish their work of copying from their "automatic repeater," after the despatches had been concluded on the main line. But one night there came a longer report than usual and when the "receiver" had finished its work and "good night " was given on the main line, the hour had arrived when the copy was due in the newspaper offices of Indianapolis. Of course these young men were still several hundred words behind and when at last they completed their work they had succeeded in causing serious delay in several newspaper offices which resulted in a number of complaints being laid before the manager of the tele- graph office, who commenced an investigation, and the next night walked into the operating room and discovered the scheme of which he had been, in part at least, a victim. It is needless to say that he at once suppressed it. It was during his engagement at this place that Edison made his first experiments with a repeater, between Indianapolis and Cincin- nati. From Indianapolis Edison went to Cincinnati, where he was employed as a day operator at a salary of #60 per month, working also at night whenever he could obtain permission to do so. The "Tele- graphers' Union," with headquarters at Cleveland, was at this time in process of formation, and a dele- gation was sent one day to organize a branch at Cincinnati. The fraternal feeling which exists amongst members of the telegraphic profession is proverbial, and when any number of them come to- gether, it is considered that the signal has been given for a "good time." This perhaps accounts for the fact that when Edison went to the telegraph office on the night of the day in question he found no one there but the office boy. "Report" was being called on the Cleveland wire, but the operator whose duty it was to answer for Cincinnati was pre- sumably assisting in the preliminaries of a branch organization of the Telegraphers' Union. For an hour Edison listened to the fruitless efforts of the Cleveland operator, the while making up his mind to turn in and take the report himself should no one else arrive. No one came and Edison finally went to work and succeeded far beyond his own expecta- tions. At eight the next morning he was at his own « CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. desk, intending to say nothing of the event of the night before, but the office boy informed the man- ager of what had transpired. Edison was ques- tioned and his report examined. There was no denying the evidence of the latter. The operator at Cleveland was interrogated about, "breaks" and gave a good account of Edison's work, the result being that the latter, greatly to his surprise, was placed in charge of a wire to Louisville, Kentucky, over which passed all the reports from the South, and his salary doubled. In the year 18C4, which we now reach, Edison, to improve his position, removed to Memphis, Tennessee. The telegraphers were un- der military control and operators received ftlS. 1 ) per month and rations. His habits were still those of the student and his investigations and experiments ceaseless. All the money he could spare — the greater part of his earnings— was spent for material and apparatus to carry on the work which he pur- sued with a ceaseless energy w hich was not out- wardly visible in the pale delicate looking boy of seventeen years, whose total neglect of personal appearance and unassuming manner contributed towards concealing from the casual observers around him the genius whieh^fias since made his name a household word in all the countries of the earth. He was passionately fond of Victor Hugo's works, in particidar " Les Miserables," which procured for him among his associates the nicknames of " Victor" and "Hugo." His courage, too, must have been great, for most of his misfortune came as the direct result of Ins experiments. His evil (?) genius did not desert him here, but followed him as relentlessly as it had in the past. The manager of the office was at work on a repeater which he hoped soon to per- fect. Edison started in with the same object and was first to succeed. He brought his instruments to the office one evening and for the first time in the history of telegraphy New York and New Orleans were placed in direct communication with each other. A description of Edison's instrument was published and the manager of the Memphis office, instigated by jealousy, trumped up a charge against his successful rival and dismissed him. This was an awkward catastrophe, as Edison found himself destitute of resources and in debt. His desire was to reach Louisville, Kentucky. He obtained free transportation to Decatur, Alabama, from which point he walked the entire distance of one hundred miles to Nashville, Tennessee, where he again suc- ceeded in obtaining assistance in the shape of trans- portation to Louisville. At six o'clock one morning late in the fall of the year, when the streets of Louis- ville were covered with ice, this young man entered the city. The soles were worn off his shoes. His clothing consisted of the lightest kind of underwear, a linen duster did service for a coat and a straw hat covered his head. His pockets were einpty and all his worldly effects were stowed away in a handker- chief, which, at least, had the virtue of slight encum- brance during the long and tedious journey he had just completed. At the telegraph office he found employment, and for two years he remained in the company's service at this place. His bedroom was his laboratory and his engagement in Louisville would have been of longer duration had he confined his experiments to this room. Unfortunately he transferred some of them to the battery room in the telegraph building, and one day upset a bottle of sulphuric acid on the floor. The water which he threw over it to dilute it and lessen its burning effect carried it down between the boards, where it dripped to the floor of the manager's room below, destroying the carpet. For this he was discharged. Previous to this incident he had become smitten, like many others of his class, with the " South American fever." It was rumored that operators were in de- mand in Brazil. So now, in company with two of his companions, he started for New Orleans, with the intention of embarking at that point; but on arrival they found that the vessel they proposed sail- ing in had left. While waiting for another boat, Edison came in contact with an old Spaniard who had visited every part of the globe. He told Edison there was no country he had seen equal to America, that her climate, people and form of government far excelled those of other nations. This opinion decided Edison upon remaining in his native land and he turned his steps towards Cincinnati, where he remained for a year and a half, working at night on "report." His companions proceeded to South America and neither of them has been heard from since. Tiring of work in the Cincinnati office he returned to his home in Port Huron, for the first time in many years, and cast about to find other employment. Amongst others he wrote to a friend \ in Boston, and while awaiting a response he hung about the office of the Grand Trunk Railway Com- pany. This company had a wire which ran from Detroit to Port Huron, and thence by cable beneath the river, to Sarnia. Another wire ran from Toronto to Sarnia and the authorities desired to continue the latter to Port Huron without laying a second cable. Edison solved the problem, using the same cable for both circuits, and hearing just at this time that his friend in Boston had found employment for him he obtained a pass to that city as a reward for his work. He entered 'Boston in about the same condition so far as his resources and personal appearance were concerned as afew years previously CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 169 he had entered Louisville. The telegraph operators in the East were more "fashionable" than their Western brethren, and Edison's appearance when he "entered the operating room was the cause of much merriment. Of course the first thing thought of was how a "rise " could be taken out of the new- man who had the audacity to announce that he was capable of taking " report " from the fastest opera- tors in the country — those engaged on the Boston and New York wire. In the New York office an operator named Hutchinson was conceded to be the most rapid sender in the service at this time, and he was duly informed that there was a green young man at the Boston end whom the " boys" wished to have some fun with ; that they were going to have him try his skill on Mr. Hutchinson's wire, and they requested Mr. Hutchinson to ''let it go" in his best style. These preliminaries had not escaped Edison's attention, but of this he gave no sign. His years of work upon report wires had made him very skillful in interpreting the combinations of dots and dashes, in addition to which he had experimented with the object of discovering the best style of penmanship for operators' purposes. He had settled upon a slight backhand, w ith regular round letters, keeping them apart from each other and destitute of shadow - ing, and by this mode was able to produce sixty-five words a minute — a rate fully one-third faster than was necessary to take the most rapid work trans- mitted by wire. Indicating his readiness to begin, the instrument before him commenced to click, and simultaneously he commenced to write. Faster and faster it came, but Edison's ear never failed him and his hand went quickly to and fro across the paper, his writing grow ing smaller as greater speed was required. The operators who stood about gazed in wonderment, and the New York man com- menced to get desperate and abbreviate his words: but Edison's capacity for writing gave him a mar- gin, and his letters only got smaller as he readily filled in these omissions and traced line after line on the sheet in front of him. Finally when he thought the joke had been carried far enough, he opened his key and quietly inquired, "Won't you please send with the other foot ? " They played no more pranks of that kind on Edison, who was placed regularly at work on the wire between Boston and New York. It was during his engagement in Boston that Edison took out his first patent, which was for a chemical vote-recording apparatus, designed for use in legis- lative bodies. By means of this device the "yea" or "nay" vote of each member was instantly re- corded at the Speaker's desk, where an indicator in full view of the house at the same moment displayed the divided result of the total vote registered in I print. Edison spent a great deal of time and con- siderable money in perfecting this apparatus, w hich he subsequently attempted to introduce in Congress. A friend was sent by him to conduct the negotiations, and when he returned he informed Edison that the invention was a " dead failure." "But that is im- possible," said Edison. "I know it will work." " Yes," replied his friend, " that's just why it's a failure. I talked with some of the members and they explained to me how the great power of the minority m the House lies in their being able to era- ploy obstructive tactics, called in parliamentary lan- guage, fillibustering, and indulged in for the purpose of preventing partisan legislation. This invention of yours would take away that power, and they wouldn't have it in the house if you paid them to use it." " From (hat moment," says Edison, " I de- termined never to work upon any invention unless beforehand I satisfied myself beyond a doubt that it w ould be useful in the field for which it was intended, j and ever since I have adhered strictly to that rule." It was also at this period that Edison commenced ' work on duplex telegraphy. He tested his instru- \ meuts between Rochester and New York, but they I were unsuccessful, and it remained for him to per- I feet this invention at a later period. His engage- ment at Boston terminated and he went to New York. His finances, always low-, were now lower than ever, as his experimental work in the former city had been carried on upon an unusually larsre scale, and he found himself some two or three hun- dred dollars in debt and in want of a situation. ! From a central office near Wall Street was oper- ated the Law Gold Indicator System, and the same office was headquarters for the Telegraphers' Jour- nal. These indicators were distributed in about six hundred brokers' offices, to show the fluctua- tions in the price of gold, and from them the brokers obtained their " points" as to buying and selling. When anything occurred to interrupt the service, each broker immediately dispatched a boy post-haste to the main office, and on such an occasion there appeared within one minute, not five hundred boys, nor five hundred and ninety-nine, but the full complement of six hundred. It was upon such an occasion as this that Edison one day happened to I be in Mr. Law's office. An accident had occurred to the transmitting machinery and the whole indi- cator system had ceased to work. Gold was high, but the excitement caused by this disaster was higher. Within a few seconds the stream of boys commenced to pour in and transform the office into a perfect bedlam. Mr. Law, a nervous man, was wildly appealing to his superintendent, Mr. Frank Pope, to do something, while Mr. Pope's nervous 1 70 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. system, as badly shattered as that of his employer, rendered him just as incapable of doing anything. In the midst of this confusion Edison walked quiet- ly over, examined the apparatus, and turning to Mr. Law, said, " I think, Mr. Law, I can show you where the trouble is. There is a contact spring which has broken and fallen between two cog wheels and prevents the gear from moving." This removed, everything commenced to work again regularly and the office was cleared. The manager asked Edison his name and the episode resulted in the latter being engaged as superintendent at a salary of two hundred dollars per month. From this time on he commenced to succeed. He invented a stock printer, which is in use to-day: then a gold printer, followed by his automatic telegraph system. Then came his quadruples:, and his inven- tions in accoustic telegraphs and telephones, electric- railways and many others of lesser importance. In 1878 he invented the phonograph, which is probably more widely known than any of his other work. His name is indelibly connected with electric light- ing, the advances which have been made in that art during the past twelve or thirteen years being largely due to his indefatigable labors and exhaust- less genius. So prolific is his brain of inventions that the Commissioner of the United States Patent Office has described him as the '•young man who has kept the path to the Patent Office hot with his footsteps." He has taken out over four hundred patents and has built up some of the largest and most successful manufacturing institutions in the country. His laboratory at Orange, New Jersey, is the only one of its kind in the world, and is a marvel in its variety and completeness of equipment. BOOTH, EDWIN, the great tragedian, whose father, Junius Brutus Booth, and whose two brothers, were all actors, was born in Bel Air, near Baltimore, Maryland, November 13, 1833. He was named Edwin Thomas in compliment to his father's friends, Edwin Forrest and Thomas Flynn. The boy had no steady nor thorough education, re- ceiving instruction from different teachers in the immediate neighborhood of his home : but he was of a thoughtful and studious nature and made the most of his limited opportunities. His disposition was peculiarly reticent, sensitive and profound, and perhaps the fact of his singularity endeared him more to the elder Booth than would have been the case had he been of a more ordinary nature. The eccentric genius of his father discovered in him an object of peculiar sympathy ; and from the begin- ning father and son were fondly attached to each other. While Edwin was yet very young his father made a companion of him in his professional jour- neys. The elder Booth — silent, moody, passionate, willful and erratic — was greatly benefited by his son's companionship and care. Edwin was the only person who could in the least control him In 1849 Mr. J. B. Booth was playing "Richard III." at the Boston Museum. Edwin was induced to make his first appearance on any stage on that occasion in the part of Tressel, a messenger. On the night of his debut, Edwin, dressed for his part, was summoned to his father's dressing-room. The elder was cos- tumed as Richard and sat moodily smoking a cigar with his feet on the table. He catechised his son on the part he was to act, and, observing that the i young man had forgotten his spurs, said : " Here, take mine." Edwin went on the stage, and when he came back his father sat as before. " Have you done welly" he asked. "I think so," replied Ed- win. ''Give me my spurs." And that closed the interview. It was not until years afterward that Edwin learned that his father had watched him from the wings all the time that he had been on the stage. It is said that the elder Booth opposed his son's choice of the stage as a profession ; but if this was the case he certainly relinquished his opposi- tion. The boy persevered, and afterwards (still ! acting in his father's company) he appeared at Providence, Rhode Island, at Philadelphia, and at other places, as Cassio in " Othello," and as Wilford in the " Iron Chest " — the latter impersonation being considered particularly good. Edwin continued in his father's company for two years after his first ap- pearance at the Boston Museum. He first appeared on the New York stage on September 27, 1850, at the National Theatre, Chatham Street, in the char- acter of Wilford. At the same theatre, in 1851, the elder Booth, being cast for Richard, was either ill or obstinate, or perhaps desirous of seeing what his son could do in an emergency ; at all events he re- fused to go to the theatre and nothing could move him: and as a result Edwin took the place of the elder tragedian and for the first time in his life he acted "Richard III." This effort, remarkably suc- cesful for a comparative novice, was hailed as the indication of great talent and as the augury of a brilliant future. It is stated as a fact that his father witnessed the entire performance. In the summer of 1852 Edwin accompanied his father to San Fran- cisco, where his elder brother, J. B. Booth, Jr., had already established himself as an actor and a theatri- cal manager, and where the three acted in company. Other cities were visited by them, and the elder Booth remained in California for about three months. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 171 One night at Sacramento, seeing Edwin dressed for Jaffierin "Venice Preserved," he said to him; "You look like Hamlet; why don't 3'ou play it?" — are- mark which the younger Booth probably took to heart, as Hamlet was his most notable character, as Richard III. was that of his father. In 1852 the father and son parted for the last time. Junius Brutus Booth died on November 30, 1852, on board the Mississippi steamboat "J. W. Cheneworth," on the way from New Orleans to Cincinnati— died, as it was said, for the lack of proper medical treatment. Edwin remained in California until 1854, traveling through the State and playing with fair success, but experiencing many hardships and great povert}'. Here he first began to be noted for his admirable performance of Sir Edwin Mortimer in the "Iron Chest." He played in his brother's theatre at San Francisco as "Richard III.," "Shylock," "Macbeth" and "Hamlet," and acquired a local reputation. In 1854 he joined a dramatic company, in which Miss Laura Keene was leading lady, in a trip to Australia, and on the return voyage stopped and acted at the Sandwich Islands. He made his reappearance in San Francisco in 1855 at the Metropolitan Theatre, at that time managed by Catharine Sinclair (Mrs. Ed- win Forrest, who then had obtained a divorce from her husband) ; and at this theatre Edwin Booth was the original representative in America of "Raphael " in the "Marble Heart." At this time also he made his first appearance in "Richelieu." In 1856 Mr. Booth's name and reputation having reached the Eastern cities and been largely noticed in the lead- ing newspapers, he left California, after receiving several farewell testimonial benefits, and w^ent to Baltimore, where he first appeared at the Front Street Theatre : and then he made a rapid tour of all the large cities of the South, meeting with a favorable reception wherever he played. In April, 1857, he appeared at the Boston Theatre as Sir Giles Overreach in "A New Way to Pay Old Debts." This engagement was a brilliant triumph and formed a turning-point in Mr. Booth's career. His success was repeated in an engagement in Burton's Metropolitan Theatre, New York, commencing May 14, 1857, when he played " Richard III."; and in the following August he again appeared there in a round of great characters— all of which he acted with brilliant ability and entirely to the public satis- faction. On April 12, 1858, " Othello " was given at Wallack's Theatre (formerly Brougham's Lyceum), New York, for the benefit of H. C. Jarrett, with Edwin Booth as "Iago," E. L. Davenport as "Othello," A. H. Davenport as "Cassio" and Mrs. Hoey as "Des- demona." On July 7, 1860, Mr. Booth married Miss Mary Devlin, of Troy, New York, an actress, whom he had met three years before at Richmond, Vir- ginia. With her he shortly afterwards made a visit to England, where their only child — a daughter, Edwina — was born at Fulham, December 9, 1861. After their return to America Mrs. Booth sank under a sudden sickness and died at Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, February 21, 1863. ■ In September, 1861, Mr. Booth appeared in London in the Haymarket Theatre, under the management of J. B. Buckstone —appearing as "Shylock," "SirGiles Overreach" and " Richelieu." It is said the English actors received him coldly and that the support which he obtained and the properties and scenery with which his pieces were produced were exceedingly poor; but notwithstanding these drawbacks his artistic genius shone out with wonderful lustre. He played in Liverpool and Manchester afterwards and produced a marked impression. Returning to America, Booth became manager of the Winter Garden Theatre, New York, where he appeared on Septem- ber 29, 1862, and with which house he was asso- ciated until March 23, 1867, except for a brief period after the death of his wife. On Friday, November 25, 1864, a remarkable performance was given at the Winter Garden in aid of the fund for the Shakespeare statue (by J. Q. A. Ward), in Central Park, this being the occasion when the three brothers appeared in the tragedy of Julius Csesar — Edwin playing "Brutus," Junius Brutus playing "Cassius" and John Wilkes, "Marc Antony." This performance was memorable, not only for the extra- ordinary and unique nature of the cast, but for the fact that it was the last appearance of John Wilkes Booth in New York. The magnificent productions which marked Mr. Booth's management of the Winter Garden Theatre were the marvel of New York. Here he presented "Hamlet," "Othello," "The Merchant of Venice," "Richelieu" and his other great plays in a style never before attempted in that city ; and it was at this time that he accom- plished the unprecedented achievement of running "Hamlet" for one hundred consecutive nights. In honor of this event a public presentation of a gold medal, offered in behalf of the leading citizens of New York, took place. In the management of the Winter Garden Theatre Mr. Booth was associated with his brother-in-law, the celebrated comedian John S. Clarke, and the well known journalist William Stewart, until March 23, 1867, when that theatre was destroyed by fire. From the summer of 1863 to March, 1870, Clarke and Booth were also associated in the management of the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia. Booth then sold out his in- terest to Clarke. On April 14, 1865, occurred the appalling tragedy of the assassination of Abraham CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth, Edwin's brother: and after that Mr. Booth was in retirement for nearly a year — in fact, he designed then never to return to the stage again, but his great personal popularity and the necessity of business demands finally induced his reappearance, and on January 3, 1866. he again appeared at the Winter Garden as "Hamlet" and was received with acclamation by a vast audience. In February of the same year '• Richelieu " was revived with great splendor and had a good run ; and in January, 1867, "The Mer- chant of Venice " was put on. On March 22 of this year — the night before the burning of the theatre — Booth played "Brutus" in John Howard Payne's tragedy, the " Fall of Tarquin." Mr. Booth did not play after this until his own theatre was completed. In the meantime, 186T, in view of the fact that the body of John Wilkes Bootli had been buried in a grave known to but a few persons and located somewhere in the arsenal grounds at Wash- ington. Mr. Booth sent Mr. Weaver, the sexton of Christ Church, in Baltimore, to Washington, with the request that the remains of his brother might be taken up and removed the family burying-place. After some delay, President Johnson was finally ap- pealed to and granted the request, and Mr. AVeaver removed the body to the cemetery in Baltimore and buried it beside the elder Booth and others of the family. This removal was conducted with the greatest secrecy. On April 8. 1868, the corner stone of Booth's Theatre was laid at the southeast corner of Twenty-third Street and Sixth Avenue: and on February 5, 1869, Booth opened the new house with " Romeo and Juliet," with Mr. Booth as " Romeo," Mis-; Mary McVicker < afterwards Mrs. Booth) as "Juliet," and Edwin Adams as "Mercutio." Miss McVicker was" the step-daughter of James H. McVicker. the prominent actor and manager, and took his name. She was married to Mr. Booth June 7, 1869, and died in New York'in 1881, leaving no children. Booth's Theatre had a splendid pro- fessional career of thirteen years, and its stage was adorned with some of the grandest pageants and graced with the presence of some of the most re- nowned actors of the period. It continued under the management of Edwin Booth until the spring of 1874, when it passed out of his possession. Under his management were produced sumptuous revivals of "Romeo and Juliet," "Othello," "Hamlet," "Richelieu," "The Winter's Tale," " Julius Casar," "Macbeth," "Much Ado About Nothing," "The Merchant of Venice," " Brutus," and other plays. The revival of "Julius Ca-sar," beginning at Christ- mas, 1871, and ending March 16, 1872, was particu- larly notable, Mr. Booth alternating characters with Lawrence Barrett, Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., F. C. Bangs and William Creswick. Besides those named, his stock company consisted of E. L. Davenport, J. W. Wallack, Jr.. .Mark Smith. A. W. Fenno, D. W. Waller. Robert Pateman, Miss Emma Waller, Bella Pateman and others. Among the stars who acted at this theatre were Joseph Jefferson, Kate Bateman, James H. Hackett, Charlotte Cnshman John S. Clarke, John E. Owens and James H. McVicker. The performance of "As You Like It." with Miss Adelaide Neilson as " Rosalind," June 14, 1873. terminated Mr. Booth's personal manage- ment of the theatre. Under his management it was almost invariably a prosperous house, but it was not i economically managed, and for this reason and this alone it eventually carried its owner into bank- ruptcy. Edwin Booth then began his dramatic career over again ; and in the course of time paid his debts and earned another fortune. The theatre ended its history in May, 1882, when it was finally i closed with a performance of "Juliet," by Mme. Modjeska. In 1876 Mr. Booth made a tour of the Soutl), which was a triumphal progress. In San Francisco in eight weeks he drew upwards of $96,000. It is stated that in fifty-six weeks his per- formances brought in nearly #200,0.0. In 1880, and again in 1882, Mr. Booth visited Great Britain and acted with brilliant success in London and other cities. He went to Germany in the autumn of 1882, and was there received with extraordinary enthu- >iasm. In 1883 he returned home and resumed his | starring tours in America. For some years past Mr. Booth played principally in partnership with .Air. Lawrence Barrett, his repertory including I "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "King Lear," "Othello." "Cardinal AVolsey," "Richard III.," " Shylock," " Richard II.," "Benedick," " Petruchio," "Riche- lieu," " Ruy Bias" and "Don Caesar de Bazan." At this writing (December 1889) he is playing with Mme. Modjeska in the " Merchant of A'enice," j "Fool's Revenge," "Much Ado about Nothing," "Richelieu," "Hamlet," " Macbeth," &c, &c. In 1888 Mr. Booth presented to the actors and friends of the drama a club house at No. 16 Gramercy Park. NewYork, which is called " The Players." It was formally opened on New Year's eve: and con- tains on the first floor a billiard-room and various offices : on the second floor the reading-room and lounging-room and grill-room ; on the third floor the library ; the top floor contains Mr. Booth's private apartments. He is the President of the club. Augustin Daly A'ice-President, and Law- rence Hutton the Secretary. The entire cost of the land and building, with its remodeling and furnishing, was borne by Mr Booth. The dra- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. I 73 matic library is invaluable, containing the collec- tions of Augustin Daly, Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett and many others. In November, 1889, a similar instance of the tenderness towards his pro- fession which is characteristic of Mr. Booth occurred in his undertaking the task of repairing the monu- ment of George Frederick Cooke, the great English actor, whose remains occupy a central position in St. Paul's churchyard. Cooke was born in West- minister, England, April 17, 1755. and after ranking as an actor with John Kemble, came to New York in 1810, and died here September 26, 1812. The monument was erected in 1821 by Edmund Kean, and repaired by Charles Kean in 1846. and again re- paired by E. A. Sothern in 1874 ; but time and the action of the climate continued their ravages, ami fifteen years so impaired the lines and blurred the inscription on the monument that its restoration be- came necessary: and this time Mr. Booth undertook the generous task. SULLY. ALFRED, a prominent American finan- cier and railroad projector, recently President of the Richmond and West Point Terminal Railway and the Richmond and Danville Rail- road Company, and for many years actively iden- tified with a large number of important busi- ness interests in New York City, was born at Otta- wa, Canada, May 2, 1841. He is the sou of James and Laura Maria Bull}', both natives of England. While he was a child two years of age. his parents removed to Buffalo, New York, taking him with them, and since then he has been a resident of the United States. The foundation of his education was obtained in the public schools of Buffalo. When he was about eighteen years of age he re- moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and shortly after began the study of law in the office of the Hon. Bellamy Store, Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Ohio, entering about the same time the Cincinnati Law School. In the year 1863 he graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and was duly admitted to the Ohio bar. Im- mediately following this event he removed to the thriving city of Davenport, Iowa, when he became a member of the law firm of Brown and Sully, which was then organized to succeed the old law firm of Corbiu, Dow and Brown, the head of which, Mr. Austin Corbin, the well-known New York banker, capitalist and railroad magnate, withdrew to engage in the business of banking. For a period of nine years Mr. Sully practiced his profession at Davenport, rising to prominence as a member of the Iowa bar and acquiring an important and lucra- tive practice. In 1872 he retired from the profession of law with a competency. Too young in years and altogether too active in temperament to remain any length of time without engrossing occupation, Mr. Sully, after enjoying his well-earned leisure for a few months, yielded to the earnest request of Mr. Austin Corbin and came to New York as a partner in the latter's banking house. In 1874, feeling the need of rest and recuperation, he refused a share in the Corbin Banking Company then organized, and spent a twelvemonth or more traveling in the South and Southwest. Upon his return to New York in the fall of 1870, greatly improved in health, he re-entered business as c hief counsel and one of the principal managers of the New York and Man- hattan Beach Railroad Company— an important en- terprise, including railroad construction and land improvement, for the purpose of developing a watering place on Coney Island on a scale commen- surate with the growing needs of the metropolis. Of this company Mr. Corbin was President. Mr. Sully had previously had experience in railroad af- fairs as counsel to the Davenport and St. Paul Company, now a part of the St. Paul system ; and the knowledge thus obtained he utilized to good advantage in the new enterprise. In 1876 and for several years immediately following he was largely interested in building and operating the Manhattan Beach Railroad, and in connection therewith or- ganized the Eastern Railroad of Long Island for the purpose of extending the Manhattan Beach road throughout the entire length of the Island. In this enterprise Mr. Austin Corbin was associated with him. In 1878 he became connected with the Indi- ana, Bloomington and Western Railroad Company as its Secretary. Of this road he became one of the principal owners. After two years of continual warfare with the Long Island Railroad Company, Messrs. Sully and Corbin united in buying the con- trol of the entire Long Island Railroad system from the New York banking house of Drexel, Morgan & Co. At the time they acquired control the stock of the Long Island road was selling at 15 to 18 cents. The property was in the hands of a receiver and physically was going to ruin. " Nearly all its dif- ferent issues of bonds were in default ; the equip- ment was almost worthless, the track in dangerous condition, and it was thought impossible to resusci- tate the road without a complete reorganization." As soon as Mr. Sully and his astute partner secured control a new mortgage of #5,000,000 was placed upon the property and the proceeds therefrom used in raising it to a condition bordering on perfection. The stock was at the same time increased from 174 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. $3,200,000 to #10,000,000, and has pai'd regular divi- dends ever since, notwithstanding the increased capitalization. Mr. Sully was until lately the owner of a large interest in the Long Island Road and for many years the President of the Long Island City and Flushing Railroad, one of its principal branches. In 1881 Mr. Sully personally and alone purchased a coal road in Ohio, about one hundred and thirty miles in length. With a facility as successful as it is remarkable he reorganized this road as the "Ohio Southern," put the property in the best physical condition and established it on a paying basis. Of this road he became President in 1881 and still holds that position. In 1885 he made large invest- ments in the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and is to-day the largest individual owner of its stocks and bonds. When he became interested in it the late F. B. Gowen was its President. Mr. Sully became his principal backer. Mr. Gowen's remark- able contest with the Drexel-Morgan syndicate, who proposed to re-organize that property on a plan which he thought was without due regard to the rights and interests he represented, attracted widespread attention and became familiar in rail- road circles throughout the United States. The property involved ranked as second in importance of its kind in the world, its estimated cash value being $200,000,000. More than $160,000,000 in money have been expended in the Reading Railroad and its coal and iron properties. At the close of a year of bitter warfare Mr. Sully and those associ- ated with him succeeded in bringing the Drexel- Morgan syndicate to terms. This victory was con- ceded to be due to Mr. Sully's tact and ability in holding the Reading security-holders in line, and it placed him at once in the front rank among the railroad men and financiers of \Vall Street. In 1886 the West Point Terminal Company, then capi- talized at $15,000,000, was in debt over $3,000,000, and the President, Mr. W. P. Clyde, had given notice to the stockholders that the property would have to be sold to meet the claims against it. Mr. Clyde and all the directors of the " Terminal " were likewise members of the Richmond and Danville syndicate, and also members of the Richmond and Danville Board of Directors, and it seemed to them that the " Terminal Company " had become a use- less appendage. A committee of Terminal stock- holders worked for over a year to re-establish their property, but made no progress. Seeing that there was danger of the stock being extinguished by a Trustee's sale of the company's assets, these stock- holders through the influence of mutual friends in- duced Mr. Sully to join their committee as Chair- man. The result was little less than marvellous. Within three months thereafter the " Richmond Terminal " was renewed in its strength enough to swallow up the Richmond and Danville and the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroads. Thus augmented, it became the greatest railroad power in the South, absolutely owning, controlling and operating, as it now does, over four thousand seven hundred miles of railroad. Appreciating his ability the stockholders elected Mr. Sully President of the entire Terminal system and he remained at its head until April, 1888, when, being dissatisfied with the policy of the company as determined by the Board of Directors, which was entirely at vari- ance with his views as to the best interests of the system, he resigned, preferring to retire than to be further responsible for the company's future. Im- mediately upon Mr. Sully's retirement, the stock- holders made a vigorous effort to remove the con- trol of the company from the Board of Directors then in office, which became one of the memorable contests of Wall Street. Mr. Sully's resignation had put every shareholder upon guard ; and it has been said, with every appearance of truth, that the clique of the Board of Directors opposed to his pol- icy succeeded in perpetuating their power only by becoming, through purchase, the absolute owners of a majority of the stock of the company. While Mr. Sully was President of the Richmond Terminal system he negotiated with Mr. Robert Garrett of Baltimore, the purchase from the latter of a con- trolling interest in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. This negotiation created more public interest and excitement than any other financial question within ten years preceding it. Every newspaper of prominence in the United States pub- lished columns daily regarding it, for several weeks, and in connection with the transaction, Mr. Sully's name became well known throughout the United States and his portrait was reproduced in almost every newspaper. Mr. Sully's plan was for the Richmond Terminal Company to purchase Mr. Garrett's control of the Baltimore and Ohio Road, and then exchange the "Richmond Terminal" stock, on a fair and equitable basis, for stock of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, thus mak- ing one grand system of the combined properties. As the Baltimore and Ohio name was well known throiighout the entire financial world, and its stock had a market in all the great financial centres, here and abroad, it is evident that Mr. Sully's plan, had it been carried out, would have made the Richmond Terminal stock very valuable. At this time Mr. Sully made the following prediction, which was given wide publicity in the press; "I believe," said he, "in the amalgamation or- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 175 consolidation of railroads into strong, efficient sys- tems. Such a policy gives efficiency to the service and strength to the organization, increases the earn- ing capacity and results in general economy. If each separate property is self-sustaining and revenue producing, there are many expenses which can be saved by consolidation and the returns from traffic service made more profitable ; provided, of course, that the natural laws governing traffic favor such combinations. In my opinion all the railroads of any note hi the United States will within ten years be com- bined into less than twenty systems. There is nothing in this that would operate against the interests of the people. The people want the best accommodations, faster transportation and safest travel, which com forts and conveniences it is impossible to give them in emasculated roads that have been made inefficient by those penurious economies which are practiced as a protection against the severest competition. New Orleans is now clamorous for a fast mail ser- vice. How can such be afforded if it must be car- ried over half a dozen different lines, each having different interests, and therefore, naturally in eter- nal warfare with each other ? Combine these roads into one system and you have a corporation power- ful in its ability to serve the people and anxious to create and maintain the very best service, and there- by derive the fullest revenues. I think that time will yet bring the Baltimore and Ohio into the Ter- minal system. The Terminal Company now owns forty-five hundred miles of railroad, and an alliance of tiiis property with the Baltimore and Ohio would be of immense mutual benefit, and certainly of great advantage to the city of Baltimore, as it would make that place the metropolis of the South." To-day similar views are held b} - some of the ablest thinkers and writers of the time, and recent events have given them substantial attestation. At the time he laid down the Presidency of the Ter- minal system, Mr. Sully announced that he retired from active business life. The sincerity of this as- sertion is proven by the fact that since making it he has given very little attention to business matters of any kind. The condensed form in which the fore- going statements are necessarily given in a bio- graphical sketch of this character does not enable the reader, unless familiar with such matters, to ob- tain a proper conception of the magnitude and im- portance of the operations conducted by Mr. Sully, more particularly since his advent in New York in 1872. But it must be evident to all that, from the length of roads, importance of the traffic over them, and the vast capital involved, these operations have had but few equals. It is not too much to say that the success of the operations thus briefly described and fraught with such important results to large sections of the country, was due to Mr. Sully's com- manding genius as a railroad expert and to his ex- traordinary skill as a financier. The combination of the two qualities in the same individual, rare as it is, might not have evolved the same results un- aided by a knowledge of the law. It will thus be seen that Mr. Sully's special experiences as a lawyer, financier and railroad organizer were all essential to the achievement of the magnificent successes he ac- complished and which entitle him to rank among the foremost business men of the country. Being involved in such stupendous transactions earns for the participant a degree of celebrity and notoriety which sometimes operates to unbalance even the strongest minds, puffing them up with a sense of their own importance and prompting them to ride rough-shod over their less conspicuous and success- ful fellows. The last man in the world, apparently, to be thus affected is Mr. Alfred Sully. In manner he is reserved and thoughtful, chary of his words, perhaps, but always speaking to the point. In physique he is tall and commanding. Intense mental labor has robbed him of some of his color, but the close observer cannot fail to note the youth- fulness of the man despite the magnitude of his labor. The hair, dark brown in color, is as profuse as at any time in life. No beard shrouds the face, and in consequence the play of the muscles during thought is clearly visible. The eyes are penetrating, but have a pleasant twinkle very re-assuring to a friend but doubtless no less enigmatical to an enemy. Mr. Sully is a man of unassuming bearing and simple tastes, modest in speech and demeanor, and though generous not prodigal. He is the pos- sessor of an ample fortune and is likely to increase it largely ; . his judgment being reliable and his opportunities extraordinary. He possesses a re- markable capacity for work and has the reputation of being patient and untiring iu working out his plans. For unimportant and minute details he does not appear to have any special aptitude. His great talent, perhaps genius is the better name — "asserts itself in solving the perplexing problems of conflict- ing interests, and adjusting wisely the controlling forces for gigantic organizations." His positions have been weighty with responsibility, and a certain gravity of manner indicates as much, even to the casual observer. Mr. Sully is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Masonic Fraternity. His tastes are domestic and when free to command his time he finds his highest enjoyment in his home in the New Jersey mountains. He is a widower, with one son, Mr. Winfield Price Sully, born in 1868, who is now an under-graduate at Princeton College. Mr. Sully married, in July, t8(5o\ Miss Louise Price, youngest daughter of Hon. Hiram Price of Davenport, Iowa, who was for many years a member of Congress from that State, and also for several years Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington. The two elder sisters of Mrs. Alfred Sully married respectively Judge John F. 1 76 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Dillon, formerly Judge of the United. States Circuit Court, and the Rev. Robert Laird Collier, D.D. Mr. Sully's second child, a daughter, died at the age of two years. His wife died in 1882, since which time Mr. Sully has made his home with his widowed mother, Mrs. Laura M. Sully, and w ith his' sister, Mrs. Mary P, My ton Mr. Sully's place at Hacketts- town, New Jersey, is a perfect home in all its appointments, and the views from the broad piazzas extend for twenty miles over the Musconetcong Valley. The estate comprises several hundred acres with a beautiful country residence surrounded by greenhouses and conservatories. Not the least among the attractions of this beautiful retreat among the New Jersey mountains is a large and well-stocked library, in which the owner takes a justifiable pride and to which he devotes no small part of his leisure. More than one-half of his entire time is passed at hie Hackettstown residence. Mr. Sully also has a country seat at Amityville, Long Island, where he passes part of the year. lie is and always has been a great lover of Nature and no monetary temptations an- strong enough to induce him to forego the delight derived from a residence far removed from the hurry and turmoil of the city. He is a philosopher, too, as will be seen from the following remark which one of his friends quotes him as saying : " Too much money is an evil, a burden. I do not want to have the money, the responsibilities, the cares, the work of a Vanderbilt or an Astor, or of Gould or Sage. The man with two millions is fully as rich as. and should be much more contented and happy than a man with fifty millions. When a man has enough to supply every want and give him means for everything his judgment prompts him to accomplish, then every additional amount of money becomes a burden and care anil a waste of energy. I like the'mountains : they lift a man up. The little petty concerns of life down in a valley seem below and beneath him. With the eyes the mind seems to have a wider horizon. One skips over the trifles of life and grasps the great prob- lems and principles of existence, in man and nature. 1 cannot understand why Sage and Gould can spend twelve hours out of every twenty-four in ceaseless, continued application to business matters. I suppose they find pleasure in the excitement, but for me, I want part of my time for nature. I want to know the world I live in." SHEEHAN, HON. WILLIAM FRANCIS, was born in Buffalo, New York, November 6, 1859, of Irish parentage. His father, William Shee- han, and his mother, Miss Honora Crowley, were both from County Cork, Ireland, but married in Buffalo, the former having arrived in this country i in 1842, and settled in Buffalo while still a young man. Eight children were born to the pair, of i whom tire subject of this sketch was the youngest ; ' but of the family there remain alive at present only five, the father and four children ; Mrs. Sheehan having died Hay 30, 1873. Mr. Sheehan received his early education in the public schools of his na- tive city. After leaving these he entered St. Jo- seph's College, Buffalo, where he was graduated in 187(1 : and soon after he was appointed Bond and Insurance Clerk in the Comptroller's office, Buffalo, a fact which shows the reputation he had already gained, although so young, and the confidence which was felt in him by persons high in position. In the meantime he had commenced the study of law, in the office of Hon. 0. F. Tabor, at present Attorney-General of the State, and this profession he pursued with such earnestness and perseverance, that in January, 1881, when twenty-one years of age, he was admitted to the bar. He now formed a partnership with Mr. Tabor, a relation which has continued ever since. From the beginning of his career, Mr. Sheehan interested himself warmly in politics, uniting with the Democratic party, and he ! soon grew to be recognized by the party leaders of Erie County as a young man possessing valuable positive qualities, likely to make him in the highest degree useful to the party. In 1884 he was nominated for the Assembly, on the Democratic ticket, from the First Assembly District, and was elected by a majority of 1,499. He has been continuously re-elected from that time forward, I by increasing majorities ; for his second term by 1,971, and for his third by 3,003. being the largest majority up to that time ever given for any public 1 office in that district. He was elected for the fourth consecutive term in the fall of 1887. and again in 1888 by a majority of 2,860 votes. Mr. Sheehan has proven a valued and earnest member of the Judiciary Committee, of the Committee on State Charitable Institutions, the Committee on Rules, the Committee on Revision and the Commit- tee on Ways and Means. He was nominated for Speaker of the House by the Democratic caucus in 1880, an honor to which his ability as a lawyer, de- bater and leader eminently entitled him. He was subsequently presented with a handsome gold watch and chain by the Democratic members of the Assembly. At the next Democratic caucus he was a ii a in honored with the nomination for Speaker, and again in 1888 and 1889. He was chosen a member of the Democratic State Committee in October, 1889, and was again elected to the Assembly in November following. He has long been the recognized leader of the minority in the Assembly. Always in the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 177 advanced rank of the enterprising Democracy of the western part of the State, Mr. Slieehan has earned, by persistent fidelity to his party, and by his strong intellectual and social personality, a pop- ularity which has carried him far higher in political position than is usual with men so young. Still only in his thirty-first year, it would be no baseless prediction to assume that he may reach the very highest official positions within the reach of political aspirations. The New York Star, one of the few faithful Democratic newspapers in the metropolis, said of Mr. Sheehan: " He has led the Democratic minority in the Assembly with distinguished ability, and his record there and everywhere else is unas- sailable." On November 27, 188!), Mr. Sheehan was married to Miss Blanche Nellany. daughter of Michael Nellany. of Buffalo, the ceremony being performed by Bishop Ryan, at St. Joseph's Cathe- dral. Buffalo. BULGER, WILLIAM JAMES, M.D., a leading physician and surgeon of Oswego, was born in the town of Volney, near the village of Ful- ton, Oswego County, New York, May 28, 1857. His father, the late Patrick Bulger, was the son of a weil-to-do farmer in the east of Ireland, and was born in Castle Comer. Queens County August 17, 1806. In 1844 Patrick Bulger, who was possessed of some means, came to the United States, bringing with him his wife, who was the daughter of a pros- perous neighbor in the old country. Mrs. Bulger, previous to marriage Miss Bridget Murphy, was an accomplished and cultivated lady, having received a thorough education in the excellent schools of her native place, which was finished at the Dublin Sem- inary. She was a woman of high character, as well as fine education, ami proved a faithful and inspir- ing help-meet to her husband in his manly efforts to found a home and rear his family in the New World. With a keen appreciation of the advan- tages of the district, Mr. Bulger, shortly after his arrival in America, purchased a farm in the town of Yolney, near Fulton, Oswego County, where he remained for a number of years, and was regarded as one of the most prosperous farmers in that sec- tion of the State. About ten years prior to his death he disposed of his farming interests in that locality, and set about to find a place to spend the remainder of his days. He then purchased a farm charmingly situated on the west bank of the Oswe- go River, about five miles distant from Oswego, which is one of the finest and most beautifully lo- cated in that section of the State : and is still owne 1 by the heirs of Mr. Bulger. Skilled in agriculture and having sufficient means at his command to enable him to carry out his ideas, Mr. Bulger con- ducted his farming interests successfully and added largely to his worldly possessions. His family con- sisted of five children, one of whom, the eldest, died in infancy in the old country. The remaining four were brought up under benign home influences, with a devoted Christian mother to supervise their education, and with every comfort at their com- mand. Mrs. Bulger died October 20, 1879, and was followed by her husband August 3, 1881. The four" children who still survive them are the Hon. P. F. Bui ger, of Utica, formerly for twelve years Re- corder of that city ; the Hon C. N. Bulger, at pres- ent Recorder of the city of Oswego: Dr. Bulger, the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. M. Hennessey. Dr. Bulger was the youngest child of his parents. In his youth he was afforded good educational advantages. After finishing the ordinary public school studies, he took a course at Falley Seminary in Fulton, after which he took a course at the State Normal School at Oswego, New York. Deciding to adopt the profession of medicine, he began med- ical studies under Dr. Ira L. Jones, of Minetto, New York, and afterwards was the pupil of the late Dr. James A. Milne, of Oswego. In 187!) he en- tered Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, and after a year's study in that splendidly equipped institution, entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he re- mained a year, when he returned to Long Island Col- lege Hospital as the assistant of the noted anatomist, Dr. Garden L. Ford, and graduated from that insti- tution Juue 15, 1882. Well qualified to begin his life work, he now returned to Oswego, and entered into partnership with his former preceptor, the late Dr- Milne, which partnership was continued until a short time prior to the latter's death, in 1887. Thorough in his attainments, a conscientious stu- dent and a close observer, Dr. Bulger has steadily advanced to a leading position among his profes- sional brethren, and is now recognized as the peer of any physician in Oswego, and the most skillful surgeon in the city. His practice extends to people in all walks in life, for the confidence reposed in his ability and skill is shared alike by the wealthy and the humble, the learned and the unlearned. No medical man in Oswego is held in higher regard by the profession, and few, if any, hold a higher place in the public esteem. Some of the most difficult cases which have occurred during his residence in Oswego, have been successfully treated by Dr. Bul- ger, and of late years, cases unusually severe or presenting strange complications are always sent to 1 7 8 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. him for treatment. His attainments are not limited to scientific subjects, but are of a broad and com- prehensive character which befit the advanced pro- fessional man of modern times and embrace near- ly all branches of polite learning. Dr. Bulger mar- ried on August 26, 1883. Miss Mary Cusick, who was at that time principal of one of the public schools at Oswego. They had one child, a boy, named Charles William Bulger, who died at the age of fourteen months. BUENTHER, HON. HENRY H., Member of the State Assembly from the Fourth Assembly District of Erie County, was born in Buffalo, in the county named, January 29, 18G2. His father, the late Christian C. Guenther, a highly respected citizen of Buffalo, was born in Wildberg, Germany. Accompanied by his wife, whose maiden name was Mary M. Weick, and who, like himself, was a native of Wildberg, Christian C. Guenther came to America in 1855 and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., where he followed his calling — that of confectioner and baker — for two^ears, during which time a daughter, who died in infancy, was born to him. In 1857 he removed with his wife to Buffalo, where a few years later, he had a prosperous business of his own in operation. He remained at the head of this business until his death, on January 2, 1880, when it passed into the hands of his widow, who, aided by her sons Charles G., Frederick C. and William, still conduct it under the founder's name. When but a child of eighteen months the subject of this sketch met with an unfortunate accident. Left unattended fjor a few moments he strayed into the street and was run over by a passing horse car, sustaining injuries which necessitated the amputa- tion of his right hand. This severe casualty, which would have seriously interfered with the future success of a youth less happily endowed mentally, has never seemed to be the slightest obstacle to the advancement of Mr. Guenther. As a boy he was healthy and hearty, and if he was compelled to take a little less active part in outdoor sports he was fully compensated by a natural taste for reading and study, which he was thus given time to culti- vate. When he had passed through the public schools in his native city he read law for two years in the office of Giles E. Stilwell, Esq., (who subse- quently became City Attorney at Buffalo,) and also assisted in the clerical duties of the office. Being satisfied that he had found his true vocation, he then entered the Law Department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and completing the usual course was graduated high in his da--, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, in 1881. Af- ter graduation he went to Youngstown, Ohio, where, at the well-known Raven High School, he took a special course of study in literature and the higher English branches. He then returned to Buf- falo and resumed the study of law under Mr. Stil- well. In 1883, being then of age, he was appointed to a clerkship in the office of the Corporation Coun- sel, the incumbent of which was his preceptor, Mr. Stilwell, a Democrat. When that gentleman was succeeded in office by Mr. Herman Hennig, who : was also a Democrat, no objection could be found against young Mr. Guenther, and he was retained in his clerkship, and was the only subordinate thus honored. He held this position until the close of Mr. Hennig's term, in 1885. Bright and capable, and prompt and faithful in the discharge of his du- ties, official, professional and social, he became very popular, and in 1885 was prominently mentioned as a candidate for the office of Civil Justice, but de- clined to stand at the request of his father, who dis- approved of his entering public life at this early age, although he would certainly have been nominated and elected. In the same year he was a delegate from the Fourth Erie District to the Saratoga Con- vention, which nominated David Bennett Hill for Governor of the State of New York, and has since con- tinuously represented his district in the Democratic State Conventions. In 1886, yielding to the wishes of his party, he accepted the Democratic nomination of Assemblyman and was elected, defeating Mr. John Krause, the Republican nominee, and who was the then representative of the district, by a plurality of 338 votes. He carried the Twelfth Ward, in which he lived, by a majority of 716 votes, and ran 574 votes ahead of his ticket. Mr. Guenther was ad- mitted to the bar in 1887, to practice in all the courts of the State. The same year he was renominated for the Assembly, and defeated his Republican op- ponent, Mr. John R. Patton, of Tonawanda, and Mr. John A. Thompson, Prohibitionist, by a plur- ality of 1,428 votes, running 1,000 votes ahead of his ticket, and carrying his own ward in Buffalo by 1,122 votes out of 1,432 polled. In 1888 he was again renominated for Assemblyman, and re-elected, defeating Mr. Christopher Smith, a popular Repub- lican of the Twelfth Ward, by a majority of 1,144 votes. In 1889 he was a fourth time placed in the field, running again against Christopher Smith, of the Twelfth Ward, who was renominated by the Republicans, and whom he defeated by 1,491 votes, running over 1,500 ahead of his ticket. As a legis- lator, Mr. Guenther has proved more than ordin- arily active and efficient, and, notwithstanding his CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 179 comparative youth, has earned and holds the re- speet of his colleagues in the Assembly. In 1887 he.served on the Committees of Railroads and House Expenditures: in 1888, on those on General Laws and Internal Affairs; and in 1889 on those on Gen- eral Laws and House Expenditures. Aside from his official duties he has a large law practice and stands among the foremost of the younger mem- bers of the Erie County bar. He is at present associated with George M. Browne, a graduate of Yale College, and a lawyer of prominence and standing. The firm name is Browne & Guenther, and their offices are in the city of Buffalo. DUKKEE. CHARLES RIX, formerly Clerk and afterwards Treasurer of Erie County, was born in Randolph, Vermont, December 12, 1821. He is a son of the late Ziba Durkee, and Hannah Arlotta Baylies, the latter being a daughter of Dr. Timothy Baylies, the first practicing physi- cian in Randolph, Vermont. Ziba Durkee moved to York, Pennsylvania, in 1828, where for four years the subject of our sketch attended the York Academy, his father being extensively engaged in staging between Philadelphia anil Pittsburg, Harris- burg, Baltimore and Hagerstown. and Philadelphia and Baltimore. In 1832 Mr. Durkee's interests re- quired him to remove to Philadelphia, where his son was placed in Prof. Lake's private school at the corner of Fifth and Arcli Streets. He remained in this school for two years, and spent the two fol- lowing at the Bedford, (Pennsylvania), Military Insti- tute, which completed his education. In Novem- ber, 1836, James Watson Webb, of the New York Oowrier and Inquirer, in order to obtain the pro- ceedings of Congress in advance of any other paper, conceived the idea of establishing a horse express to run between Washington and Philadelphia, dur- ing the session of Congress. He entered into a con- tract with Ziba Durkee to carry out this scheme, which was to place a horse and a boy every ten miles between Washington and Philadelphia, this express to connect with the Camden and Amboy Railroad, as during the winter season navigation between Philadelphia and Baltimore was closed. Charles Durkee, who was then only fifteen years of age, took charge of this express from Washington to Havre de Grace. The next two years he was engaged as clerk in the old United States Hotel in Philadelphia. In 1840, at the age of nineteen years, in connection with his father, he entered into the manufacture and sale of mill machinery, in which he continued until 1861, having in 1843 removed the business to Buffalo, where he became prominently identified with the politics of Erie County. In 1847 he removed to Alden, Erie County, New York, where lie lias continued to reside up to the present time, and where on December 10, 1851, he was married to Helen Bass, a daughter of Samuel Bass and Abigail Baylies, of Randolph, Massachusetts. In 1861 Mr. Durkee was elected Clerk of Erie County by the Republican party, in winch position lie served three years. In 1866 he was elected County Treasurer on the union ticket of Johnson Republicans and Democrats, and in this office also he served three years. Since that time he has acted with the Democratic party, having been many years a member, first of the Republican and after- wards of the Democratic County Committees. Mr. Durkee is greatly esteemed wherever known for his sterling qualities of head and heart, and has a host of appreciative personal friends. EDDY, JOSEPH WILLIAM, M.D., a leading medical practitioner of Oswego, and one of the Attending Surgeons to the Oswego Hospital, was born at Williamson, Wayne County, New York, April 17, 1851. He is of New England ancestry, which dates b-ick to some time in the last century. Joseph Eddy, his grandfather, was born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and Norman Eddy, son of the foregoing, at the same place in 1815. The latter, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, accompanied his parents to Williamson when he was a mere child in arms, his father having bought a farm there with the intention of settling down to an agricultural life. Left an orphan in his youth, Norman Eddy took charge of the farm, which con- stituted the most valuable property of his father, and spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. At the age of thirty-two years he married Miss Eliza Potter, of Williamsou, who survives him, together with her two children, a son, the subject of this sketch, and a daughter. Mrs. Eddy and her daughter still reside at the old homestead. Joseph W. Eddy grew up on the parental farm. When fif- teen years old lie was sent to Marion Collegiate In- stitute, where he remained several years. He then went to Detroit, Michigan, and began the study of medicine under the celebrated Dr. Theodore A McGraw, attending, in the meantime, the usual courses of lectures at the Detroit Medical College. In 1874 he received the Degree of Doctor of Medicine and soon afterwards established himself in practice at Oswego, where he remained until 1878, when, desir- ing to avail himself of the advantages of study un- i8o CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. der foreign teacliers, he went abroad ttnd entered the Ecole de Medecine in Paris, wbere he spent a year, devoting his time principally to the study of surgery under the ablest instructors. Wbile abroad he met Miss Hannah C. Eggleston, an acquaintance from Oswego, who was then traveling in Europe with her sister, and the result was that they were married at the Church of St. Martin's-in-tbe-Fields, London, England. After spending some time in travel they returned to Oswego, where Dr. Eddy resumed the practice of his profession. Dr. Eddy's success has brought him reputation and has led to his appoint- ment to several important medical positions, notably that of Attending Surgeon to the Oswego Hospital. He is likewise Examining Surgeon United States Pension Board.at Oswego, and Surgeon of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad Company. He is a member of the New York State Medical Society, and also of the Oswego County Medical Society and has been President of the latter. His professional duties so fully occupy his time that he is obliged to refrain from active participation in politics, although he maintains an affiliation with the Demo- cratic party. He has one child, a daughter named Louise, now in her eigrfth year. HPWMAN, WILLIAM H. II., a prominent citizen of Buffalo, New York, widely known in busi- ness circles as the head of the old-established firm of W. H. H. Newman & Co., and identified with many of the leading interests of the city in business, benevolence and otherwise, was born in New York City, February 8, 1826, and has been a resident of Buffalo since June 30, 1833. lie is the second son of the late John Newman, of Buffalo, who was born October lfl, 1796, in Saratoga County, New York, and who was the son of Thomas B. Newman, who removed thence a few years later to Oneida County, same State. There the father of the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood and youth, but on reaching manhood he removed to New York City, where he established himself in the mechanical and machinery business and became prominent as a pioneer in the construction of steam engines and boilers, during the earlier days of steam navigation. On January 1, 1823, he married Miss Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Joseph Miller, then of New York City, but formerly a resident of Mamaroneck, Westchester County, New York, where the Miller family had resided many years previous to and during the Revolutionary War, and where Miss Miller herself was born, January 9, 1789. This lady died at Buffalo, March 12, 1859. In 1833 Mr. John Newman removed with his wife and family to Buffalo, transferring thither his busi- I ness interests also. The field presented to him in connection with the development of the lake steam marine then in its infancy, was a large and promising one and occupied him profitably during the remainder of his long and honorable business career. He was an active factor in the general business life of Buffalo for a generation or more and at the time of his death, which occurred August 28, 18G7, was one of the best known and most highly respected men of that city. William II. H. New- man, the subject of this sketch, with a taste for mechanical and mercantile pursuits, quite early in life entered the office of his father's iron works, where he soon assumed important duties and when of age was admitted as a partner in the business. In 1858, his father being about to retire from active life, he withdrew from his former occupation and established the mercantile business in iron, metals, tin plate, etc., etc., which he has since continued. Experience and skill in mechanical pursuits fitted him for the requirements of the trade, more partic- ularly the supplying of materials needed for rail- road purposes and in connection with the uses of steam on land and water. A wide and varied range of ability, which he devoted with untiring energy to the business and conducting it with marked thoroughness, accuracy and close attention to detail, meeting all engagements with fidelity and promptness, soon gained for him a well-earned rep- utation for reliability, with assured and uninter- rupted success, which, w T hile building up a large and profitable trade for himself, has contributed in no small degree to promote the general commercial prosperity of the city. The firm of which he is the founder and head is now one of the largest in its line of trade, and extensively and most favorably known throughout that section of the country. Mr. Newman is a man of marked individuality, of Quaker descent and possessing a liberal heritage of the plain and practical, seasoned with a quiet vein of ready humor. His character is of the posi- tive order, and he is strongly inclined to indepen- dence in his views.. Energy, both mental and phy- sical, has always been a prominent characteristic and being quick to decide, once having done so, he rarely has occasion to recede from his position. His judg- ments are founded on the logic of experience, but derive impulse from his intuition, which seems to penetrate with ease to the depths of the subject under consideration. Held in high esteem as a merchant of unquestioned responsibility, with irre- proachable character and occupying a leading posi- tion in business circles, he might reasonably aspire AllnntwPuiUsliWf&E-iiaravin^Co CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 181 to political honors and as well expect the support of the best element of his fellow-citizens : but poli- tics have never had any attraction for him, his tastes being averse to the excitement of campaigns and inclining rather to quieter fields, those of phil- anthropy and literature more especially — his library with its valuable collection of rare manuscripts and missals, old Bibles and early printed books, attests, to tastes in that direction. He has been a member of the Merchants Exchange since the date of its organization, and identified with many of the insti- tutions of the city in connection with public and benevolent interests, and for years prominent in the management of many of them, including boards of direction of railroads, one of the savings banks and one of the gas companies of the city, and the Niag- ara Falls Railway Suspension Bridge Company. In works of benevolence he has always manifested a sincere interest with liberal contributions to assist worthy charities, among these the Buffalo Or- phan Asylum, of which he has been a member of the Board of Directors in times past. As Trustee, Treasurer and President of the Board of Trustees he has continued to render valuable as- sistance in church work for many years. It is a matter of public knowledge that no man is more conscientious in the discharge of the duties devolv- ing upon him. Every interest which has enlisted his services has received the most careful attention. For many years lie has been actively connected with the Buffalo Historical Society, contributing largely to its prosperity and permanence by dona- tions, well-timed advice and disinterested service. In graceful recognition of his tastes and labors in historical research, and in grateful acknowledgment of his valuable assistance in developing its useful- ness and furthering its efforts, he was elected to the honorable position of President of the Buffalo His- torical Society in 1879, and was re-elected in 1885. Through his executive connection with this and other public institutions, he has a considerable acquain- tance with men of distinction in letters, in the arts and sciences and in religious and benevolent work, and by these, as well as his peers and associates in business, he is esteemed as a man of liberal and en- lightened views, stainless life, and humane and generous impulses. Mr. Newman was married on October 2, 1849, to Miss Jerusha A. Burrows, daughter of the late Hon. Latham A. Burrows, of Buffalo, New York. He has two children : a son, John B. Newman, who has been associated with his father in business for several years past (in the firm of W. H. H. Newman & Co.); and a daughter, Emily A., the wife of Mr. Harry Walbridge, of the firm of Walbridge & Co., Buffalo. HOUGHTON, JAMES WAR BEN, County Judge of Saratoga County, was born at Corinth in the same county, September 1, 1856. His father wasTilley Houghton, also a native of that county and a son of Tilley Houghton who came to Saratoga County at an early day from Leominster, Massachu- setts. His mother was Charlotte Dayton, daughter of Joel Dayton, also of the same county. His father was a man of great native ability and widely known throughout the county. Upon his death, in 1809, the widow and children were thrown largely upon their ow n resources, the subject of this sketch being the eldest of four children. He found a home however, near schools of the first class, with his father's sister at Canandaigua, New York. By manual labor upon a fruit farm owned by her, he acquired a sturdy constitution, which stood him in good stead in his study and profession in after years. In 1871 he entered Canandaigua Academy, a college pre- paratory school of note, teaching, however, at in- tervals as a means of meeting necessary expendi- tures. He was recognized by the faculty as a studious and ambitious boy and on several occasions was awarded rhetorical prizes, and at the close of the school 3-ear of 1870 delivered an oration upon the "Past and Future of the Republic," by special designation of the trustees of the Academy. It was his design to obtain a collegiate training, but the lack of means and the seeming pressing necessity to qualify himself for some remunerative business obliged him to content himself with advance studies at the Academy, which at that time were nearly identical with the first two years of most colleges. In the fall of 1870 he entered the law office of Judge II. L. Comstock and subsequently that of E. W. Gardner, at Canandaigua, and in October, 1879, was admitted to the bar at Rochester, New York. In January following he came to Saratoga Springs, having secured a position in the office of Surrogate E. H. Peters. In 1882 he opened an office for him- self. The care and research displayed in the preparation of his cases before the courts soon at- tracted to him a lucrative and responsible clientage, and he rapidly began to be considered one of the rising young lawyers of the county. Criminal law, which yields so broad a field for young lawyers, he did not neglect and amongst his early cases was the defense of oue Luke, of New York City, charged with having robbed a prosperous farmer of Saratoga County of over $100,000 in securities. Although an acquittal was not secured, so tenacious and untiring was the defense that a disagreement of the jury was obtained 011 each of the three trials had, and the defendant discharged. This case established his reputation as an untiring and zealous advocate in 182 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the interests of his client. His familiarity with Sur- rogate practice naturally brought litigation of that character to him, and he has been engaged in many of the important will contests within the county. September 6, 1888, Mr. Houghton was nominated by the Republican party for the office of County Judge, having for his competitors for the honor, several older members of the bar. The nominee against him was Mr. A. C. Dake of Ballston Spa, and a desperate effort was made to defeat him on the ground of his youth. He, however, was successful by a majority of nearly fifteen hundred — the largest local majority in the county on a contest for years. Judge Houghton entered upon the duties of his office January 1, 1889. The term is six years. Judge Houghton married Miss Elizabeth Smith of Saratoga Springs, and has two children. WARDWELL, WILLIAM T,. a prominent citizen and business man of New York, specially dis- tinguished as a leader in the" cause of temper- ance, and recently the candidate of the Prohibition party for the Mayoralty 'of the city of New York, was born at Bristol, Rhode Island. February 1, 1827. On both sides he comes from old and highly re- spectable New England ancestry. The earliest American representatives of his father's family, William and his brother, Thomas Wardwell, came from England to Boston about 1633. Uzal Ward- well, son of William, was a freeman in the town of Bristol (originally called Mount Hope Neck) in 1681, when the place first took its new name, and joined the church there. He died at Bristol, Octo- ber 25, 1732, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. By his wife, Grace Wardwell, he was the father of several children, one of whom, Joseph Wardwell, born July 30, 1686, married Martha Gideon. A child of this marriage, named John Wardwell, born October 12, 1720, married Phoebe Rowland, October 11, 1741. The latter was a de- scendant in the third generation from John How- land, one of the Pilgrim Fathers, who came over in the "Mayflower" in the little band of Puritans led by Governor Carver, with whose family he was classed, and landed on Plymouth Rock, December 21, 1620. Soon after the settlement of Plymouth, John Howland married a daughter of Governor Carver. He became Surveyor of the Colony, and later a member of Governor Edward Winslow's Council, and later still was appointed one of the Commissioners to treat with the Colony of Massa- chusetts. His youngest son, Lieutenant Jabez Howland. distinguished himself in the Indian War I of 1675-76, known as King Phillip's War, and at its I close joined his superior officer, Captain Church, ! the brave commander of the Colonial troops during I this bloody struggle, in the purchase of a tract of land where together they founded the settlement which took the name of Bristol. Lieutenant Rowland's granddaughter, Phoebe Howland, referred to above, was the great grandmother of the subject of this sketch She was the youngest of five sisters, three of whom married Wardwells. John and Phcebe (Howland; Wardwell were the parents of twelve children. Allen Wardwell, their youngest child, born March 1, 1765, was married to Abigail Smith, daughter of Josiah Smith, September 4, 1786, by the Rev. Henry Wight at Bristol, Rhode Island. Both lived to a good old age he dying March 31, 1840, aged seventy-five years, and she October 6. 1844, aged seventy-nine years. They had eight children, of whom William, the sixth, was the father of the subject of this sketch. William T. Wardwell, a native of Bristol, and born at the beginning of the present century, was both a skillful mechanic and ] an industrious farmer. He was a man of superior intelligence, unusual energy and pure character, and during his earlier life in New England and later life in the Northwest, maintained with ease and dignity j the high standard of worth and morality which had marked his ancestors for generations. His wife, Mary Hawes, was a woman of the highest excellence of character, a helpmeet in all the varied meanings j of that comprehensive term, and an ornament of the Christian circle in which she moved. She was a daughter of Captain John Hawes, a New Bedford whaler and ship-owner, a gentleman of wealth and high standing, who was for many years Collector of the Port of New Bedford, and who is described in the ''Memorials of Methodism " (by Abel Stevens, Boston, 1852), as "one of the noblest pillars and fairest ornaments of the infant church," — that is, the Methodist Church in New England, to which he was drawn in early manhood, and of which he be- came a devout member, and in later life a liberal benefactor. William T. Wardwell, the subject of this sketch, was the second of the eight children born to his parents. When he was in his ninth year his father became affected by the emigration fever which raged at that time, and, believing that the region then newly opened up in the West presented the opportunities so many w r ere looking for, he re- moved thither, settling on a farm near Niles, Michi- gan. Here William spent the ensuing three or four years, receiving such educational advantages as the primitive schools of the settlement afforded, but ob- taining at home from his devout and cultivated mother more than enough to supply the deficiency, JP CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 183 and in addition the moral and religious training which nearly every New England parent deems as essential to earthly as to future happiness. When thirteen years of age he was placed as a clerk in the office of his uncle, Mr. Samuel W. Hawes, of Buffalo, who was engaged in the oil business. The situation proved to be the very best one in which his young, ambitions could have been brought into play. He speedily developed surprising business ability, and upon attaining his majority had ac- quired such an insight into the trade and a com- mand of its facilities, that he embarked in it on his own account. Shrewd, active and enterprising, he made a success of his venture, and was already on the high road to fortune when petroleum was dis- covered in Pennsylvania. This discovery revolu- tionized the business in which he was engaged, but Mr. Wardwell, who was one of the first to appreci- ate the extent and value of the discovery, erected a large refinery at Buffalo, and was soon occupied in the manufacture of the new product. When it became evident, that the great business in petroleum was to be for export, Mr. Wardwell cast his eyes toward the city of New York. The advantages of Hunter's Point as a location for a refinery to supply the export trade struck him, and, finding a half completed factory building conveniently situated near Newtown Creek, he purchased it and making suitable alterations, erected the pioneer oil-still on Long Island. He kept increasing the capacity of his factory with the demands made upon it, and in 1875, when the Standard Oil Company purchased it, it was the largest at Hunter's Point. After selling his factory, Mr. Wardwell became connected with the Devoe Manufacturing Company of New York City, of which he is now the Treasurer and the administrative head. This company is one of the largest oil enterprises in the United States. It an- nually sends hundreds of shiploads of oil to every quarter of the globe, .as high as ten million cases being sometimes shipped in the course of the year. The active factor in such an enormous business is necessarily a weighty personage on 'Change and in the business circles of the metropolis, but apart from this Mr. Wardwell holds a high place in the commercial world, as a gentleman of large experi- ence, sound judgment and inflexible integrity. He is noted for the earnestness and determination with which he prosecutes whatever enterprises he un- dertakes, and his success is rarely a matter of doubt or question. Both in business and private affairs he is scrupulously exact, holding faith fully to his agreements and expecting the same of others. Mr. Wardwell has always taken a warm interest in the temperance question, but his attention became ab- I sorbingly drawn to it in the fall of 1884 during a series of meetings held at Chickering Hall in New York City. Joining the society under the auspices of which the meetings were held, he was honored by being chosen Treasurer, and becoming thus a vital part of the organization, threw himself with vigor into its work. The more closely he studied the movement the more convinced he became that Prohibition was the only realty permanent remedy for the great and growing evil of intemperance, and he became and is to-day, one of the most earnest and enthusiastic advocates and supporters of the Prohibition movement, ranking in prominence with General Clinton B. Fisk, Ex-Governor John B. St. John, and other of its well-known leaders. In view of this fact a brief outline of the origin and prog- ress of the Prohibition party may properly be given in connection with Mr. Ward/well's biographi- cal sketch, and is here published as a matter of gen- eral interest. The call for the first National Conven- tion to organize the party was issued during the summer of 1809. Pursuant thereto nearly five hun- dred delegates from the states of California, Con- necticut, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, .Maine, Michi- gan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia assembled in Farvvell Hall, Chicago, Wednesday, September 1, 1869. A platform was adopted, its chief plank declaring for the complete overthrow of " the saloon." An Executive. Com- mittee was chosen and a plan of work outlined. The first nominating Convention was held at Co- lumbus, Ohio, February 22, 1872. James Black of Pennsylvania, and John Russell of Michigan, were placed at the head of the ticket as candidates for the office of President and Vice-President, respectively. In support ofthe ticket thus named five thousand rive hundred and eight votes were polled. In 1876 the National Convention met at Cleveland, Ohio, on May 17, and placed in the field as its standard bear- er, General Green Clay Smith, of Kentucky, and Gideon T. Stewart, of Ohio, who received nine thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven votes, polled in nineteen States. On June 17, 1880, the third National Convention of the Prohibition party met at Cleveland, Ohio, and put in nomination the following ticket : For President, General Neal Dow, of Maine ; for Vice-President, H. A. Thomp- son, of Ohio. These candidates received eleven thousand six hundred and fifty votes at the November election. The fourth nominating convention was a larger and more representative body than any of its predecessors. It met at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 23, 1884. There were present four hundred CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. and sixty-five accredited delegates,' representing thirty-one States and Territories, viz., Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, Mis- souri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia. Da- kota, Arizona and the District of Columbia. Hon. John P. St. John, ex-Governor of Kansas, was nom- inated for President, and Hon. William Daniel, of Maryland, was nominated for Vice-President. A vigorous campaign followed, and the ticket secured one hundred and fifty-one thousand and seventy votes in thirty-lour States. The last nominating convention met at Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 30, 1888. The delegates numbered one thousand and twenty-nine, and represented forty-two States and Territories and the District of Columbia. This convention was marked by great enthusiasm Gen- eral Clinton B. Fisk, of New Jersey, and John A. Brooks, of Missouri, were placed at the head of the ticket nominated. The canvas which followed was the most exciting in the history of the part}', and was vigorously pushed In every part of the country, the old parties being divided on the tariff question, and each pressing its work with unusual determina- ation and a vast expenditure of money. In this campaign the Prohibitionists polled for their ticket two hundred and forty-nine thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven votes. At present (1890) the party is earnestly, steadily and hopefully at work build- ing up its organization and preparing for future campaigns. Possessed of ample means, Mr. Ward- well has, since joining the Prohibition movement, contributed liberally to its support, and wherever it has a foothold or a following in the land, his name is known and respected as that of one of its most earnest, generous and unselfish champions. In the summer of 188C the Prohibition Party in New York placed Mr. Wardwell in nomination fur the office of Mayor of the city. On all sides the nomination was regarded as one of the best that could be made, even those most violently antagonistic to the move- ment he represented conceding the strength and ac- knowledging the high character and superior execu- tive ability of the nominee. Thoroughly well- known and esteemed in the business community, and in the best social circles in the metropolis, Mr. Wardwell drew to the cause he represented many voters to whom another name would have appealed in vain. Though past sixty years of age, Mr. Wardwell's sturdy frame, sharp cut, energetic look- ing features, alert movement and keen glance, de- note that he is possessed of all the vigor of a man twenty years younger. He is of medium height, broad shouldered and robust, has quick, penetrating, brown eyes, and wears a moustache and goatee, which, like his hair, are iron-gray in color. His features are somewhat of the military type, and the student of physiognomy will readily perceive in them the characteristics of a leader and director of men. Witli all this strength of character, vigor of physique, earnestness of countenance, and sternness of purpose in all the relations of life, Mr. Wardwell combines social qualities which make him a most engaging companion and a valued friend. His voice has a wonderful range, its gentleness and per- suasiveness in ordinary conversation being no less remarkable than its strength and convincing power when employed in advocating a good cause. His speech and manners are urbane and polished, and indicate a life-long association with persons of cul- tivation and refinement. In 1852 Mr. Wardwell married Miss Eliza W. Lanterman, of Binghamton, N. Y. Eight children were born of this union — of whom three survived her death in 1887 ; but the death in 1889 of Dr. William L. Wardwell, a brilliant and promising young physician of New York, leaves a son and daughter surviving. Mr. Wardwell was married, a second time, in December, 1889, to Miss Martha Wallace Ruff, daughter of the late Dr. Sam- uel Wallace Ruff, U. S. N., and stepdaughter of the late Hon. Edward Y . Rogers of New Jersey. MOTT. THOMAS SMITH, of Oswego, a distin- guished citizen and political leader, President of the First National Bank of Oswego, was born in Hamilton. Madison County, New York, December 15, 1826. His father, Smith Mott, a prominent and influential merchant, was a native of Bridgewater, Oneida County, from which place he removed and settled in Hamilton in 1826, having married Lucinda Rattoone of Lausingburg, New York, a descendant of an old family of that place, who was born in September, 1806, and died in Feb- ruary, 1827. Thomas Mott attended school at the "Nine Partners' Quaker Boarding School" at Washington. Duchess County, and at the Hamilton Academy. In 1847, when about twenty' years of age, he commenced business in Hamilton. Removing to Oswego in 1851, he engaged in general mercantile and shipping business with marked success. For a long time during the years of Oswego's greatest commercial prosperity, Mr. Mott was its lar^. ■■; ship-owner. He became President of the First National Bank of Oswego shortly after its organiza- tion, which was in 1864, and still holds that position CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 185 — covering a period of a quarter of a century — with great acceptance to those interested as well as to the general public. Since 1883 he has been President of the Oswego Water Works Company, which has, un- der his administration, been greatly extended and improved. Some fifteen years ago Mr. Mott's eye- sight began to fail and he has for years been the subject of partial, and for several years last past, of total blindness. This has made the more remarka- ble his successful management of his extensive busi- ness, which he has kept under his personal super- vision, and at the same time his great interest in politics, and the firm hold he has retained of politi- cal influence and management. He was for many years an active member of the Republican State Committee, where his judgment was much relied upon by his associates. After his retirement from the Committee he still continued to exercise, and does to the present time, an influence second to none in the political affairs of that part of the State in which he resides. Mr. Mott's intimate acquaint- ance with public affairs, and the soundness of his judgment upon all questions of party and public policy, are most remarkable when it is remembered that by reason of Ids blindness he is entirely depend- ent on others for his knowledge of passing events. Mr. Mott's regard for Roscoe Conkling and the esteem in which he was held by that statesman are matters of public record. For the last twenty years of Mr. Conkling's life he had no warmer friend and admirer and no more faithful supporter than Mr. Mott, and it-is an unquestioned fact that Mr. Conk- ling greatly valued that warm and faithful friend- ship. Mr. Mott has been a liberal and public spirited citizen for many years. The Oswego City Hospital, one of the most important public institutions of that city, is especially indebted to him for generous sup- port and indorsement. In July, 1847, Mr. Mott married Sarah W. B. DeWolf , of Bridgewater, New York. The children of this marriage were John T. Mott, Kate Mott Ward (wife of Major Thos. Ward, U. S. A.) and Elliott B. Mott. BECKER, HON. PHILIP, founder and head of the extensive business house of Philip Becker & Co., of Buffalo, thrice Mayor of that city, and prominent in commercial and political life for the last twenty years, was born at Oberotterbach, Rheinish Bavaria, in April, 1830. His parents were Frederick and Catherina Seibel Becker, worthy and well-to-do residents of the place last named. Thanks to the excellent system of instruction pre- vailing in his native land, and also to the attention paid by his parents to the early training of their children, Philip received a good education in his youth. At the age of thirteen he was graduated at the public school and after that studied during two complete terms at a classical school. Well equipped mentally to begin the battle of life, he em- igrated to America in the spring of 1847, and on May 27 of that year, took up his abode iu Buffalo, where, within a fortnight after his arrival, he en- tered upon his business career as a junior clerk, at the monthly salary of four dollars, in the grocery store of Jacob Dorst, then at the corner of Mohawk and Main Streets. On March 13, 1848, he took his first step in advance by changing his employer, going then into the grocery store of Abraham Twichell, centrally situated under the Genesee House on Main Street. Here he received a salary of seventy-five dollars a year and board, which was increased the second year to one hundred and twelve dollars and board. Early in 1850 he was engaged by Messrs. Seibel and Neiss, at a salary of one hundred and eighty dollars and board, to open a grocery store for them in Buffalo, and to repre- sent the junior partner during his absence. In March, 1851, he entered the wholesale grocery house of A. P. Yaw, corner of Main and Dayton Streets, where he remained three years. At first he re- ceived a yearly salary of three hundred and fifty dollars, but. the effective manner in which he discharged las duties led to an increase of fifty dollars at the expiration of the first year, which was still further increased at the close of the second year. The house was one of the largest wholesale establishments in the city, and in it Mr. Becker may be said to have perfected his knowledge of the grocery business. Having early determined to en- gage in business on his own account, he husbanded his earnings and in the spring of 1854, finding him- self the possessor of sufficient capital to make a start, opened a store at 390 (now 510) Main Street. By industry and the exercise of good judgment he made his venture a success and four years after engaging in it was obliged to seek a more commo- dious store. This was found a few doors below the original location (at what is now No. 500). At this time also he took as partner his brother-in-law, Mr. George Goetz, who proved a valuable acquisi- tion. As the population of the city increased bold- er methods of transacting business came into vogue and met their legitimate reward. In 1862 the ne- cessity for increased accommodations became so pressing that removal was made to the large build- ing Nos. 468 and 470 Main Street. In 1867 Mr. Michael Hausauer, another brother-in-law of Mr. Becker, was admitted to partnership, but the title t86 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. of the firm, which since 1858 had been Philip Becker & Co., was not changed. By close attention to business and cautious but steady expansion, the firm advanced to a foremost place in the wholesale grocery trade of the city, and to-day it ranks as one of the largest, wealthiest and most enterprising in Western New York. Since the year 1883 Charles Groben, George W. Goetz and Ed. H. Goetz, the three nephews of Mr. Becker, have been members of the firm, but the founder and his two original partners still continue to take an active share in the management and direction of the business. The house of Philip Becker «fc Co. is widely known for its reliability and honorable dealing. Its patronage is drawn from a large section of the western part of the State and contiguous sections of adjoining States, and the volume of its yearly business is very great. Although remaining the head and moving spirit of this large business, Mr. Becker has achieved distinction in other fields. Since 1867 he has been a Director in the Buffalo German Insurance Com- pany, the capital stock of which was largely sub- scribed through his personal efforts. This com- pany was founded as a rebuke to the insurance fraternity in general, vfhich, in 1866, raised the rates to what was deemed an unwarrantable and unjust extent. In 1869, after serving two terms as Vice- President, Mr. Becker was elected President, a position which he has since held without interrup- tion. The affairs of the company are carefully watched over by Mr. Becker without fee or reward. The duties of th« position are far from perfunctory, as was clearly shown in 1873, when by a vote of the Board of Directors a salary of two thousand dollars per annum was attached to it. Although elected at this time Mr, Becker declined to serve unless this resolution was rescinded. In deference to his wishes this was done. Mr. Becker has al- ways taken great pride in this company, and un- der his able guidance it has attained to an exalted position among its compeers and rivals, and to-day ranks with the best in the country. In the arena of politics Mr. Becker has met with no less success. A Republican by choice from the inception of the party, he has upheld its principles and followed its fortunes down to the present day. In 1875 he was honored by it with the nomination for Mayor of the city. In the canvas, which was a most spirited one, he was opposed by the Hon. A. P. Laning, a lawyer of high standing and a man of great popularity, who had made a record in the State Senate. Mr. Becker was the choice of the people, being elected by a most gratifying majority. He served as Mayor of Buffalo during the year 1876-1877. In the latter year he was again placed in nomination by the Republicans and, notwithstanding the deter- mined opposition of a clique in his own party, he was re-nominated through the active efforts of the best element in it. The factional differences in the Republican ranks and the shrewd manipula- tion of the "Labor party" vote, resulted in the election of nearly every Democratic nominee, including the Democratic candidate for Mayor. At the close of his term of office Mr. Becker with- drew from public life and devoted his whole ener- gies to his business affairs, which had now assumed very large proportions and required his almost con- stant attention. With a keen sense of his high per- sonal character and of his eminent fitness for official station, the most influential men in the Republican party sought repeatedly to swerve Mr. Becker from his determination, and used the strongest argu- ments in their efforts. In every campaign between 1878 and 1885 these efforts and arguments were re- newed and Mr. Becker was at various times solici- ted to take the nominations for Mayor, State Sena- tor, Representative in Congress, etc. Up to 1885 he in- variably declined, but in that year the pressure was so urgent that he consented to let his name come up in Convention for the office of Mayor. He was nominated with enthusiasm, and won the election by a handsome majority. In 1887 he was a fourth time placed in nomination for the Mayoralty. In this canvass, as in a preceding one, he encountered the bitterest factional opposition, which resorted to every possible means to compass his defeat. De- spite this, however, he was triumphant at the polls, the very best element of the population rallying to his support in sufficient numbers to overpower all opposition and seat Mr. Becker, the regular candi- date, in the Mayor's chair for the third time. The victory was a notable one, and an emphatic endorse- ment of all his preceding official career. At no time, even during the hottest moments of the sev- eral campaigns in which Mr. Becker's name has headed the municipal ticket, has any imputation whatever been thrown upon his personal character. As such tactics coidd have had only one result, viz : to unify all truthful and high-minded citizens against the slanderers, they were wisely omitted. That Mr. Becker was an able and conscientious chief mag- istrate the bitterest of his political foes have never denied; and that he has always discharged his official duties without fear or favor, no right-minded citi- zen ever honestly questioned. His sense of duty is exceedingly strict, and in public life as well as in his commercial affairs his high character has always been manifest. As a lover of the customs and tra- ditions of " the Fatherland " Mr. Becker has always taken a warm interest in the sports and pastimes of CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. I8 7 his German fellow-citizens. In 1862 he was elected President of the Sangerfest, which was held at Buffalo in July of the following year, and was one of the greatest successes of the present generation — largely through his untiring efforts in building it tip and in strengthening the hands of those charged with subordinate details and duties. A recent evi- dence of the esteem of his party for Mr. Becker was shown by his being chosen a Presidential Elector in the campaign which resulted in the election of Gen. Harrison. Mr. Becker was married in the spring of 1852, to Miss Sarah Goctz, of Buffalo. He has recently built a beautiful residence on Delaware Avenue; where he and his esteemed wife now live and dispense a generous hospitality. 1 SHERMAN, GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH, was born at Lancaster, Ohio, February 8, 1820. His family, of English origin, was among the early settlers of New England ; one of its branches including Roger Sherman. His father, the Hon. Charles R. Sherman, was one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio. After his death, the sixth child, William, was adopted by the Hon. Thomas Ewing. John, a younger brother, has for many years represented their native State as Senator and Representative, and was at one time Secretary of the Treasury. At sixteen years of age Sherman entered the Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1840. He was at once ap- pointed Second Lieutenant and assigned to duty in Florida. November, 1841, he attained the grade of First Lieutenant. Succeeding years of service were spent at various forts in the South, by no means idly, as he devoted himself to self-improvement, and even entered on the study of law, with no inten- tion, however, but to qualify himself for all the du- ties incident to his profession. During the Mexican War, though desirous of active service, he was sta- tioned in California. Here, however, he won credit as Acting Assistant Adjutant General of the forces of the Tenth Department, first under Brig. -Gen. Stephen' W. Kearney, and later of Col. R. B. Mason. In 1850, as bearer of dispatches, he visited New York and Washington, and was married May 1st to Miss Ellen Boyle Ewing, at the residence of her father, then Secretary of the Interior Tinder Presi- dent Taylor. In September of the same year, he was stationed at St. Louis, Missouri, as Commissary of Subsistence with the rank of Captain. A com- mission by brevet was afterwards received for meri- torious services in California. In September, 1852, he was ordered to New Orleans, and September 6th, a year later, he resigned the army to enter private life as a banker in California, with a branch house in New York. Subsequently he returned to St. Louis, and at one time undertook the practice of law at Leavenworth, Kansas. The organization of the Louisiana State Military Academy at Alexan- dria, offered him again the career of a soldier in times of peace, which he accepted. The institution opened January 1, 18(50, but with the outbreak of secession, he tendered his resignation and hastened northward, eager to devote his services to his coun- try in defense of the Union. At this time he was for a short period President of the St. Louis Fifth Street Railroad. May 14, 1861, he received a com- mission as Colonel of the Thirteenth Regiment of Regular Infantry, and after the Battle of Bull Run, July 21st, in which he commanded a brigade of the First Division under Gen. Tyler, was promoted .to Brigadier-General of Volunteers to date from May 17th. On October 7, 1861, he succeeded to the com- mand in Kentucky, relieving Gen. Robert Anderson, whose failing health rendered him unequal to the duties and responsibilities of his position, but in consequence of a misunderstanding of his views as to the number of men deemed requisite to hold the State and reduce the enemy, he was in turn re- lieved by Gen. D. C. Buell, and spent most of the winter in command of Benton Barracks, a camp of instruction near St. Louis. When Gen. Grant moved upon Donelsou, Sherman was assigned to Paducah, and the duty of forwarding supplies and troops. His efficiency in this service was recog- nized in times of unusual difficulty. Here he organ- ized the Fifth Division of the Army of the Tennes- see. "At the Battle of Shiloh," writes Gen Grant, " on the first day he held, with raw troops, the key point of the landing. It is no disparagement to any other officer to say that I do not believe there was another division commander on the field who had the skill and experience to have done it. To his individual efforts I am indebted for the suc- cess of that battle." "It is the unanimous opinion here," Gen. Halleck reported from the ground, "that Brig-Gen. W. T. Sherman saved the fortunes of the day on the 6th, and contributed largely to the glo- rious victory of the 7th. * * * I respectfully recommend that he be made a Major-General of Volunteers to date from the 6th instant." This was the opening of a career, the events of which ful- filled its promise. He participated in the siege of Corinth, from April 15th to May 30th, and his con- gratulatory order to his troops on the evacuation, breathes a spirit of noble triumph and ardent deter- mination. A promotion to Major-General of Vol- unteers was received for May 1st. On July 21, i88 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 1862, Sherman assumed command of .the District of Memphis, which he found in a state of disorganiza- tion requiring immediate remedy. Business was at once revived, the civil authorities restored to their public functions, and guerrilla warfare sternly re- pressed. The question of slavery being not yet de- cided, the negroes were obliged to work for their masters or for the Government, but no fugitive was compelled to return to a master against his will. Cotton was especially a source of difficulty. No monej' was allowed to be paid on purchases until after the close of the war ; contracts alone were permitted, and finally "the Avhole business was taken from the jurisdiction of the military and com- mitted to treasury agents appointed by Mr. Chase." Expeditions were also sent out to assist the army in the field. In the latter part of October, Sherman was summoned to Columbus, Kentucky, to concert with Gen. Grant a plan of campaign, the anticipated result of which was the fall of Vicksburg. Pem- berton's force, forty-nine thousand strong, was dis- lodged from the Tallahatchie by the combined forces of Sherman and Grant moving from Mem- phis and Jackson, while an inferior force under Gen. Washburne, menaced him in the rear, from the direction of Friar's Point, Mississippi. On Decem- ber SJOth, Sherman, in command of the right wing of the Thirteenth Corps, as the army was now organ- ized, embarked from Memphis for the mouth of the Yazoo River, to attack Vicksburg from the north, in conjunction with Admiral Porter ; while Gen. Grant, with the left wing, preparing to move on Jackson, should co-operate from the rear, and in the event of failure to carry the town by assault, at once proceed to investment. A landing was ef- fected about twelve miles up the Yazoo, and a vig- orous and determined effort was made, December 27th-9th at the mouth of Chickasaw Bayou, to storm the bluffs, which were strongly fortified and protected by almost impracticable ground. The attempt was fruitless. Gen. Grant having failed to put in an ap- pearance, owing to unexpected delay caused by the capture of Holly Springs by rebel cavalry, Sherman fell back upon Milliken's Bend, where he relinquished the command to Major-Gen. McCler- nand, January 4, 1863, assuming that of the Fif- teenth Corps. On January 11th, an attack made up- on Fort Hindman, (Arkansas Post), suggested and led by Sherman, by which the control of the Ar- kansas River— the key to the military possession of the State— was secured, proved eminently successful. The brilliancy of the adventure, in which by a loss of 79 killed, 440 wounded, 150 of the enemy lost their lives and 4,791 were taken prisoners, in a measure retrieved the disappointment before Vicks- burg. The expedition then returned to Milliken's Bend to await the arrival of Gen. Grant in person. " His services in the siege of Vicksburg and cap- ture of Jackson, and the dispersion of Johnston's army, entitle Gen. Sherman" remarks Gen. Grant, "to more credit than usually falls to the lot of one man to earn." On March 16th, he undertook the ex- pedition up Steele's Bayou to the Yazoo River, in co-operation with Porter's gunboat fleet, but the joint effort was abandoned in consequence of the difficulties encountered by the gunboats in the nar- row and tortuous channel of Black Bayou and Deer Creek. The demonstration at Haines' Bluff, April 29th to May 1st, to engage the attention of the enemy and prevent reinforcements to Grand Gulf " suc- ceeded admirably." Gen. Grant felt hesitation in requesting this manoeuvre, lest Sherman's reputa- tion might suffer from having been again "re- pulsed," but the latter was assured that subsequent events woidd distinguish between a feint and a true attack. The troops destined to re-inforce Gen. Bowen at Grand Gulf and Point Gibson were re- called, and May 1st, Sherman set out by rapid marches to rejoin the main army at these points. May 14th, he occupied Jackson, and on the 18th, Walnut Hills, thus securing the investment. In the subsequent attacks upon the land defenses, he was also largely engaged, but was presently de- tailed with three army corps to attend to the move- ments of Johnston, who, with a relieving force gathered at Jackson, Mississippi, was advancing on the rear, to raise the siege. On the 4th of July, Vicksburg surrendered, and Sherman at once moved on Jackson, whither Johnston had retreated in haste. Preparations for a siege were in order, when, on the 17th, the city was evacuated. The pursuit was maintained to Brandon, and after de- stroying the railroads in every direction, Sherman again sought the line of the Big Black. Repose was of short duration. The loss of the battle of Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th, caused an immediate demand for the troops encamped at and near Vicksburg. Orders were at once received to forward all available forces, the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps of the Army of the Potomac being also at once detached and sent by rail to Nashville, under Major-Gen. Hooker. By the 27th the last of Sherman's corps was on its road to Memphis, but owing to the condition of the river, and the scarcity of wood along the banks, did not reach there until October 4th. Thence they were directed to Chat- tanooga, repairing railroads, as they must depend on themselves for supplies, and about this time (October 18th), Gen. Grant, receiving command of the Division of the Mississippi, embracing the De- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 189 partments of the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee, with the armies belonging thereto, assigned the last to Gen. Sherman. Sherman now advanced steadily, leaving orders for reinforcements, but October 27th, was met at Tuscumbia by a message from Gen. Grant, directing him to suspend all work on the railroad and at once push on to Bridgeport. The Tennessee River was crossed November 1st at Eastport, and telegraphic communication being opened with the Army of the Cumberland, urgent orders to advance were repeated. Preceding his command, Gen. Sherman arrived November 15th at the headquarters of the army in Chattanooga, and was warmly received. The gravity of the situation at once impressed itself on his mind. The army was, in fact, besieged, the Confederate forces upon Lookout Mountain and along Missionary Ridge, maintaining a commanding position and cutting off lines of supplies. A bridge over the Tennessee at Bridgeport, however, had been passed by Gen. Hooker, October 27th, who advanced to Wauhat- chie, thus enabling supplies to be drawn from Nashville, and Bragg, having failed to dislodge him, dispatched Longstreet to East Tennessee, where Buruside was beleaguered at Knoxville. Having reconnoitered the ground where he was ex- pected to take the initiative, Sherman hastened to return to his troops, whom he brought up by forced marches over almost impassable roads, arriving by the 23d. Declaring himself with three of his own divisions and supported by one of the Fourteenth Corps, under the command of Gen. J. C. Davis, prepared to commence action, General Giles A. Smith was dispatched to effect a landing below the mouth of the Chickasaw River, having captured the enemy's pickets. The success of the expedi- tion was complete, and a pontoon bridge was con- structed ; by the evening of the 24th, the whole army crossed the river, and favored by a drizzling rain, effected a lodgment on the north end of Mis- sionary Ridge, which was fortified during the night. At the dawn of the next morning, which proved a remarkably brilliant day, the attack was begun from the right, and maintained with desper- ate obstinacy until a white line of smoke about three o'clock in the afternoon announced Thomas' attack on the centre. This movement completed the victory, but the pursuit, which was ardently pressed by both Sherman and Hooker, was check- ed, to direct the former to the Hiawassee and the relief of Burnside. The troops were in no condi- tion for the march, having left their camp with only two days' rations, and " stripped for the fight." In a few terse sentences the report of their Major General sets forth their endurance of hardship : " In reviewing the facts, I must do justice to my command for the patience, cheerfulness and courage which officers and men have displayed throughout, in battle, on the march, and in camp. For long periods, without regular rations, or sup- plies of any kind, they have marched through mud and over rocks, sometimes bare-footed, without a murmur, without a moment's rest. After a march of over four hundred miles without stop for three successive nights, we crossed the Tennessee, fought our part of the Battle of Chattanooga, pursued the enemy out of Tennessee, and then turned more than one hundred and twenty miles north and compelled Longstreet to raise the siege of Knoxville, which gave so much anxiety to the whole country. It is hard to realize the importance of these events with- out recalling the memory of the general feeling which pervaded all minds at Chattanooga prior to our arrival. I cannot speak of the 15th Army Corps without a seeming vanity, but as I am no longer its commander, I assert that there is no better body of soldiers in America than it, who have done more or better service. I wish all to feel a just pride in its real honors." On January 10th he returned to Memphis. In pre- parationfor the next campaign, Sherman now decid- ed on a movement, February 3d, which, paralyzing the enemy's forces, should set free the local garrisons scattered on the Mississippi River. Accordingly, with 20,000 men hastily collected from McPherson at Vicksburg, and Hurlbut at Memphis, he set out one hundred and fifty miles to Meridian, Mississippi, the center of converging railroads. These he de- vastated in all directions, accomplishing his part of the campaign, but the failure of Gen. W. Sooy Smith to destroy the rebel cavalry under Forrest impaired the complete success. Having awaited his arrival at Meridian from the 15th to the 20th of February, and sending out to find him, the expedi- tion returned. In a conference with Gen. Banks, held March 3d, at New Orleans, Sherman promised 10,000 men to assist in an expedition up Red River, which should last about thirty days. The troops were accordingly dispatched, March 7th, but in con- sequence of delay, and the failure of the expedition, were unable to take any part in the subsequent cam- paign of Atlanta, arriving only in time to assist Gen. Thomas at the battle of Nashville, December 15th. On March 14th, Gen. Grant was invested with com- mand of all the Armies of the United States in the field, and Sherman, succeeding to his Division of the Mississippi, set about at once preparing for the contemplated invasion of Georgia. The difficulty of securing supplies for an army of 100,000 men was by far the severest to be encountered, and Sherman at once put a stop to the issuing of provision to citi- zens in East Tennessee, forcing them to rely upon early vegetables and the wagon roads from Ken- tucky. Great complaints of course ensued, but happily no suffering. Railroad trains were pressed in- 190 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. to service, and by April 27th, the armies of the Cum- berland, Gen. Thomas, the Tennessee, Gen. McPher- son, and the Ohio, Gen. Schofield, were ordered to rendezvous at Chattanooga. The events of this campaign, as numerous as they were important, ad- mit of but rapid summary. The movement began May 6th, simultaneously with that of the army of the Potomac, as had been arranged between Generals Grant and Sherman, in a parting interview at Cin- cinnati, March 17th. The army of Sherman number- ed upon accurate estimate 98,797, w hile Johnston, his " true objective," lay intrenched at Dalton with 50,- 000. "I always estimated my force," says Sherman, " as about double his, and could afford to lose two to one without disturbing our relative proportion, but I also reckoned that in the natural strength of the country, in the abundance of mountains, streams, and forest, he had a fair off-set to our numerical superiority and therefore endeavored to act with reasonable caution while moving on the vigorous offensive." The strong position at Buzzard Roost Gap was turned by a flank movement, and evacuating Dalton on the 12th, Johnston fell back on Resaca, which was occupied three days later. The Oostanaula was crossed on the 16th, and Cass- ville, where battle was threatened, was peacefully entered next day. Recognizing Allatoona Pass, the next obstacle presented, as impregnable by direct attack, Sherman now moved on Dallas with the in- tention to turn it by the right. Johnston, however, detected the movement, and a series of bloody con- flicts ensued, May 25th, near New Hope Church, as destructive as they were indecisive, but were ter- minated June 1st, by the final capture of the post in dispute. June4th, Johnston retreated, and Allatoona Pass was garrisoned as a secondary base of supplies. June 8th, a reinforcement of two Divisions of the Seventeenth Corps under Gen. Frank P. Blair, was re- ceived at Acworth, compensating in a great degree for previous losses and the garrisons necessarily left behind. Operations about Keuesaw, Pine and Lost Mountains, carried on from the depot at Big Shanty, were protracted from June 10th, the enemy contract- ing his lines, until finally, June 20th, he remained cen- tered on Kenesaw only, covering the railroad with his flanks spread back towards Marietta and At- lanta. Continuous rains delayed action, but on the 27th, an assault was made. " Failure as it was," declares Sherman, "and for which I assume entire responsibility, I yet claim it produced good fruits, as it demonstrated to Gen. Johnston that I would assault, and that boldly, and we also gained and held ground so close to the enemy's parapets that he covdd not show a head above them." His position being turned from the left, July 1st, and communica- tion with Atlanta threatened, Johnston fell back behind Marietta, to Smyrna Camp Ground, and sub- sequently to the Chattahoochee River, which he crossed on the night of the 9th, leaving Sherman in possession of the right bank, with Atlanta only eight miles distant. The railroads about Opelika, A\a- bama, were at this time completely destroyed by a party of cavalry under Gen. Rousseau, sent from Decatur by Gen. Sherman's orders. The second month of the campaign was ended. The strategy of Johnston had consumed seventy-two days in a march of little over a hundred miles, but at this im- portant crisis, that commander was displaced by Hood, July 17th, who abandoned his defensive policy. Hood promptly sallied, July 20th, against the line of Peach Tree Creek and was defeated and driven into his forts; and the subsequent battle of July 22d, de- livered with impetuous rashness, was added to the number of Sherman's victories, though embittered by the death of McPherson. A third engagement, on the 28th, terminated also successfully to the Union Army, Hardee and Lee being repulsed in an at- tack upon the Fifteenth Corps, commanded by Gen. Logau, and Sherman continued to extend his right, sending out expeditions under Generals McCook and Stoneman to destroy the Macon Railroad, the pos- session of which was most important to the besieged. Stoneman, however, diverged on Macon, and was finally c aptured, while McCook, compelled to re- treat, was surrounded at Newman, but cut his way through and got back to Marietta. Hood now resumed the defensive, and perceiving that he would retain it, while he dispatched his cavalry under Wheeler to Dalton, and as far north as Tennessee, Sherman resolved to raise the siege and move with his whole army on the railroads in rear of Atlanta to utterly destroy communication, and thus compel its surrender. A cavalry force under Gen. Kilpat- rick, was at first detailed to this duty, but his action proving ineffectual without support, the command was given for the movement of the whole army, August 25th. On the 29th, the advancing columns centered at Jouesboro, having thoroughly destroyed the roads, burning ties, twisting rails, and filling up cuts with trunks of trees, rocks and explosives to prevent attempts to clear them. On the 81st the battle of Jonesboro was fought, and on the 2d of September, Gen. Slocum, left behind on the Chatta- hoochee with the Twentieth Corps, entered the city, which had been evacuated on the night of the first. The telegram " Atlanta ours, and fairly won," re- joiced the hearts of anxious friends at home. Thus closed a four months campaign, in the course of which the total loss sustained by the Union army was thirty-one thousand six hundred and eighty- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. l 9 I seven, to thirty-four thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine of the Confederates, under hoth generals. Atlanta was reduced to a military post, the necessity for active measures in war being im- pressed on the civil authorities, and an exchange of prisoners was arranged with Hood. August 12th, Sherman had been created Major-Geueral of the Reg- ular Army, a promotion he woidd have desired re- served till the result should crown his labors Indefi- nite skirmishing through the month of October, the most signal event of which was the gallant defense of Allatoona Pass by Gen. Corse, with one thousand nine hundred and forty-four men against a division of the enemy, repelling attack, convinced Sherman that Hood, while unable to come to battle, intended to manoeuvre or decoy his troops out of Georgia. Resolved not to lose the advantages gained, and at the same time maintain his army, Sherman uow planned his "March to the Sea," receiving tele- graphic permission from Gen. Grant in the following terms : City Point, Va., Nov. 2, 1804. 11:30. Maj. Gen. Sherman: Your dispatch of 9 a. m. yesterday is just received. I dispatched you the same date, advising that Hood's army, now that it had worked so far north, ought to be looked upon as the " object." With the force, however, that you have left with Gen. Thomas, he must be able to take care of Hood and destroy him. I do not see that you can withdraw from where you are to follow Hood without giving up all we have gained in territory. I say then, go on as you propose. U. S. Grant, Lieut. General. All surplus stores were sent back from Atlanta, with the sick and wounded, the depots and found- ries were destroyed, and November 14th, having sev- ered all communication with the North, Sherman buried himself in the enemy's country with Savan- nah as his ultimate aim. As the whirling cars passed which bore the last loads to the rear, he was " strongly inspired with the feeling that the move- ment was a direct attack upon the rebel army, at the rebel Capitol at Richmond, though a full thous- and miles of hostile country intervened, and that for better or worse it would end the war." An al- most triumphal progress of three hundred miles, supplied with abundant provisions, across the three rivers of Georgia, and through her Capitol, with the nominal loss of 507 men, was terminated December llith. On the 13th, Fort McAllister was taken, and communication opened with the fleet dispatched to the neighboring Sounds for co-operation. Decem- ber 22d, Savannah surrendered, and amid universal rejoicings, was laid in the hands of the President, who acknowledged it by the following letter : Executive Mansion,) Washington, D. O, Dec. 20, 1864. j My dear General Sherman : Many, many thanks for your Christmas gift, the capture of Savannah. When you were about to leave Atlanta for the Atlantic coast, I was anxious, if not fearful, but feel- ing that you were the better judge, and remember- ing that " nothing risked, nothing gained," I did not interfere. Now, the undertaking being a suc- cess, the honor is all yours, for I believe none of us went further than to acquiesce. And taking the work of Gen. Thomas into the count, as it should be taken, it is indeed a great success. Not only does it afford the obvious and imme- diate military advantages, but in showing to the world that your army could be divided, putting the stronger part to an important new service, and yet leaving enough to vanquish the old opposing forces of the whole— Hood's army— it brings those-that sat in darkness to see a great light. But what next? I suppose it will be safe if I leave Gen. Grant and yourself to decide. Please make my grateful acknowledgments to your whole^army, officers and men. Yours very truly, A. Lincoln. The difficulties of organization were again en- countered in Savannah, and the Secretary of War, who visited the city in person, approved Sherman's action. His views upon " reconstruction " at this time embodied in a letter, were also approved by the Secretary of War. Cotton again occupied atten- tion, and the question of the negro freed men. De- cember 0th, orders had been received for the victor- ious army to proceed to Virginia by sea, to assist in the destruction- of Lee, but January 2d, a project was approved for the movement of the army by over- land marches, the advantages of which were ob- vious. All preparations were completed by the 15th. Goldsboro, North Carolina, was now Sher- man's destination, though for a short time at Poco- taligo he held the enemy in suspense as to whether Columbia or Charleston would be the next object of attack. On the 19th of February, Columbia, evacu- ated in haste, was burned by the carelessness of Hampton's men. Its abandonment by Johnston, who had now resumed command of the Confeder- ate forces, was the turning point of the campaign, and left an almost undisputed way through the Carolinas. Cheraw was entered on the 3d of March, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, on the 12th, the difficulties of the march being increased by heavy rains. Here news from Gen. Terry was received of the capture of Wilmington, February 22d. The bat- tles of Averysboro, March 19th-20th, and Bentonville on the 21st, preceded the entry into Goldsboro, on the 23d, where a junction was effected with the forces of Gens. Schofield and Terry. A hasty visit to City Point, the headquarters of Gen. Grant, ar- 192 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ranged the details of a movement to 'the Roanoke River, for which orders were issued hy Sherman, April 5th, but the news of the surrender of Lee caused a total change of programme. Sherman at once entered Raleigh, April 13th, where overtures from Johnston were received. Acting on the well known sentiments of President Lincoln in favor of peace, recently expressed in person at City Point, Sherman had been induced to prepare, in conjunc- tion with the Confederate leader, a synopsis of terms of peace subject to t he approval of the Executive, which, however, was rejected. In the intervals of negotiation, the news of the assassination of the President filled the army with gloom and horror. April 26th, a final surrender on the basis of that of Lee, was made by Johnston's army at Durham's Station. The triumphal review of •' Sherman's Ar- my " at Washington, May 24th, terminated a march of 2,600 miles, undertaken a year previous, and May 30th he bade farewell to the troops who had long served under him, and shared his memories of dan- ger and glory. His subsequent career may be brief- ly sketched. On June 27, I860, he was appointed to his old command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, and July 25, 1866, he succeeded Gen. Grant as Lieutenant General— his division being changed August 11th to that of the Missouri. No- vember and December of the same year were spent on a mission to Mexico. On the inauguration of Gen. Grant as President, March 4, 1869, he became General. On leave of absence for a year, 1871-2, he made an extensive tour of Europe, visiting points in the East also. From October, 1874, his headquar- ters were in St. Louis, but in April, 1876, were re- stored to the Capitol. February 8, 1884, he retired from active service, and soon after removed to New York City where he now resides. Here Gen. Sherman met with the saddest personal loss of his life, in the death of his beloved wife, who died No- vember 28, 1888. Mrs. ShermaD, whose maiden name, as already stated, was Ellen Boyle Ewing, was the daughter of the famous United States Sena- tor from Ohio, Thomas Ewing, who served in the Cabinets of Presidents Harrison and Taylor as Sec- retary of the Treasury and Secretary of the Interior. She was born October 4th, 1824, in the town of Lan- caster, Ohio. In 1850 she became the wife of Gen. (then Captain) Sherman. Mrs. Sherman was a zealous Roman Catholic, prominent in good works, and her important services were recognized at the Vatican, Pope Pius IX having sent her the " golden ro>e " in testimony to his appreciation of her worth, i Mrs. Sherman had been an invalid for five years, but her death came unexpectedly at last, and was a crushing blow to the General. Following is the simple and pathetic announcement of the funeral, which lie penned with his own hand : "The funeral will be as simple and private as possible, according to her own special request. Five of our six children are now here and will escort her body to St. Louis in a special car, most kindly pro- vided by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. We will leave our house, No. 75 West Seventy-first street, about three p m. of Thursday, November 29, for the Desbrosses Street Ferry ; cross over by day- light to the special car in waiting, and expect to reach the Union Depot at St. Louis, where friends will meet us, on Saturday morning, escort us to College Church on Grand Avenue, corner Lindell, wherein the funeral services will occurabout eleven a. m. of December 1st. " Thence we will proceed to our own lot in Cal- vary Cemetery, long ago selected, where rest two sons and three grandchildren, and there deposit her coffin to await mine. W. T. Shekman, General." The character of a military commander may be accurately judged from the testimony of a brother officer, and it is a well known fact that Gen. Grant often spoke of Gen. Sherman as the " greatest sol- dier living." In a letter which favored a testimo- nial, and offering #500 himself, he says: "The world's history gives no record of his superior and but few equals." (Townxend'x Rebellion Record.) This tribute is worthily sustained by the events of a life for the most part public and devoted to the service of his country. A careful, painstaking stu- dent, it is said that at the very outbreak of the con- test in which he was to assume so prominent a part, he had already familiarized himself with precise details which assisted in his famous March. Punct- ual in his calculations of time, earnest, straightfor- ward and truthful, the confidence he inspired in his men was as unabated as unquestioned, and while he never hesitated at a bold venture, he yet never failed to be prepared. His almost unvaried success is attributable to these features. Averse to political trickery, he has steadily refused to hold office, de- claring himself unqualified. The glimpses of the man, discerned in the pages of his own "Memoirs" published in 1875, reveal an ardent, unaffected na- ture, as tender and true in the minor details of life and feeling, as brilliant in its extraordinary gifts. HERRILL, CYRUS STRONG, M.D., an eminent oculist and aurist of Albany, Professor of Dis- eases of the Eye and Ear in the Albany Medi- cal College (the medical department of Union Uni- versity), Ophthalmic and Aural Surgeon to the Alba- ny Hospital, St. Peter's Hospital and the Child's Hospital at Albany, and also to the Troy Hospital, was born in the town of Bridport Vermont, Septem- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 193 ber 21, 1847. Dr. Merrill's father was Edward Henry Merrill, whose ancestors were among the earliest set- tlers of Vermont and exerted a marked influence in its affairs before as well as since the Revolution. He was a farmer by occupation and a man of means and excellent social position. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Wilson Strong, was likewise of good family and was descended from the early settlers of Vermont. The subject of this sketch was the second son of his parents. From his earliest years he took far more interest in study than in play and found in books most congenial companionship. His parents, who, as has been said, were people of means as well as position, were gratified at this display of intellec- tual tastes and fostered tliem by every means in their power. Perceiving that their son took a par- ticular interest in the natural sciences, they pro- vided him with text books and reading bearing on this department of knowledge. When he had com- pleted the ordinary course of instruction common to pupils in the public schools, he was placed under private tutors and by them prepared for college, his parents having decided to give him the advan- tages of a liberal education. In 1863, having com- pleted a course of instruction at Newton Academy, he entered Middlebury College, where he remained for one year, passing, in 18G4, from its freshman class to the sophomore class of Amherst College. At the latter institution, then under the Presidency of the venerable Dr. Stearns, he remained until 18C7, when he was graduated with honor. During his entire college course he was a faithful and diligent student, and besides paying close attention to liter- ary, mathematical and classical studies took special courses in the natural sciences, rounding out his earlier acquaintance with them derived from books alone, and thus unconsciously preparing himself for the work of later years. Among the scientific works which he devoured with avidity while still a mere boy were elementary treatises on anatomy, physiology and chemistry, and the impression made upon him by their earnest perusal, was so pro- found that it sufficed to determine his adoption of the profession in which he subsequently achieved both fame and fortune. Possessed of a thorough English and classical education, which placed him far above the average of those undertaking the study of medicine, and with a mind well stored with gen- eral and scientific knowledge, he entered upon a course of medical reading with a view to preparing himself for regular instruction at the medical schools. While pursuing this preliminary course he filled the responsible position of Principal of the Academy at Warreusburg, New York, but resigned this charge in 1809 and entered the college of Phy- sicians and Surgeons of New York City, where he devoted himself with untiring perseverance to the regular curriculum of medical study. In 1871, at the age of twenty-four, he successfully passed the examinations and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine. l, He was now ready for the great work of an active, practical life ; and he lost no time in undertaking such a work with a brave heart, and with strong, diligent, skillful hands. It was about this time that the singular talents and tastes of the young physician in a special department of medical and surgical knowledge— that of ophthal- mology—were more openly displayed, a department in which he has gained a most enviable and ex- tended reputation, and successful results in his treatment." Winning by competitive examination the appointment as Resident-Surgeon of the Brook- lyn Eye and Ear Hospital, he spent a little over a year at this institution, in the course of which he added to his youthful laurels, by performing many difficult and delicate operations with successful results. In 1872, desiring to avail himself of a course of instruction under the masters of ophthal- mologics! science in Europe, he went abroad and spent some months at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. He then attended in succession the University of Vienna, the University of Heidelberg and the" College of France, and at these famous seats of learning enriched his store of knowledge under the ablest professors, from whom he obtained thor- ough instruction in the latest discoveries, especially in his favorite department. On the return trip he visited Loudon, where he added largely to his infor- mation by attending a course of instruction under distinguished professors, at the Royal Ophthalmic Hospital. In the spring of 1874, physically refreshed by two years of foreign travel, and admirably equipped by diligent study and observation under the leading European specialists for any demands upon his professional knowledge and skill, he re- turned to America, and establishing himself at Albany, began regular practice as an oculist. In the summer of 1874 he was appointed Ophthalmic and Aural Surgeon of St. Peter's Hospital — one of the best institutions of its kind in any city. Soon afterwards he accepted a similar appointment in the Child's Hospital in Albany, and a little later that of Surgeon-in-Charge of the Eye and Ear Department of the Troy Hospital. In 1876 he was called to the Chair of Ophthalmology and Otology in the Albany Medical College and at the same time was appointed Ophthalmic and Aural Surgeon to the Albany Hos- pital. These several positions he still fills with con- summate ability and rare skill. Dr. Merrill has built up a practice in his specialty probably not equalled 194 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. in extent by that of any other' surgeon- in the State outside of New York City. His success has been achieved by merit of a high order and by a degree of devotion to the demands and duties of his calling which in any vocation could not fail to win both honor and renown as well as satisfactory pecuniary results. He is known and respected as one of the hardest workers in his profession. At his handsome and pleasant home, No. 23 Washington Avenue, he may be found every day to receive with kind words and careful attention, all patients who come to him for consultation or treatment. Between his college and hospital duties and his extensive practice he is kept very busy from early morning until dusk. His most remarkable success, especially of late years, has been the operation for the removal of cataract, and so wide has been his reputation in this respect, that patients from many States of the Union have come to him for operations. The amount of his general operative work is very great and covers the whole ground of his specialty. It is current belief that his operations for cataract alone exceed in number those of any other member of the profession in the State. Dr. Merrill is an honored member of the Albany County Medical Society, of the State Medical Society, and of the American Ophthalmo- logical and Otological Society. Although having but little leisure to devote to literary labors he has gained time to write a number of articles for publi- cation in the regular medical journals, which em- body much valuable information for specialists and the profession at large. In person Professor Mer- rill is of medium height and slender build. His countenance betokens intellect and application as well as refinement. In the social life of Albany he is a prominent figure, standing as he does in the very front rank of one of the most honored of the professions ; and among the most consistent suppor- ters of religious and charitable endeavor. He mar- ried, October 12, 1875, Miss Mary E. Griffin, daugh- ter of Hon. Stephen Griffin, a wealthy and prominent lumber dealer of Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, who in 1874 represented his district in the Assembly. Two children have blessed this union — a boy, Stephen Griffin Merrill, and a girl, Grace Coman Merrill, a year or two his junior. LAUGHLIN, HON. JOHN, State Senator from the Thirty-first Senatorial District of the State of New York, comprising Erie County, was born March 14, 1856, in Newstead, Erie County, New York. He was of Irish parentage. His father ■was a farmer, and the boy lived on the farm with his parents in Newstead until he was nine years of age, when he removed with them to the town of Wilson, Niagara County. He followed agricultural pursuits, attending district schools winters, until he was eighteen years of age. In 1874 he removed to Lockport, and entered the High School in that city, where he completed a course of four years' study, supporting himself and paying his way through school by working out of school hours and during the summer vacations. He now determined upon the law as his profession, and entered the of- fice of Hon. Richard Crowley, (who was at that time United States Attorney for the Northern Dis- trict of New York) and studied law with liim until December, 1880, when he went to Washington with Mr. Crowley, who then represented the Niagara District in Congress. Mr. Laughlin passed that winter at the National Capital with Mr. Crowley's family, holding a position for four months in the Census Bureau under Superintendent Walker. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Crowley opened a law office in Buffalo, and thither Mr. Laughlin accompanied him, continuing his legal studies with Crowley & Movins. In October of that year he was admitted to the bar. Subsequently he entered into partner- ship with Mr. Crowley, the firm becoming Crowley & Laughlin. In 1882, Mr. Laughlin ably assisted Mr. Crowley, who had been designated as Special j Counsel by the Government to prosecute the de- ' faulting President of the First National Bank of Buffalo, Reuben Porter Lee. Their management of the prosecution was very skillful. After Mr. Crowley removed his office from Buffalo, Mr. Laughlin formed a copartnership with ex-County Clerk Joseph E. Ewell, and Supervisor Daniel Mcintosh, under the firm name of Laughlin, Ewell & Mcintosh. He had by this time made a wide repu- tation as an advocate, being considered one of the most eloquent members of the bar of his county. In 1887 he gained a great deal of renown and much commendation for his course in defending Hattie Penseyres, for the murder of her husband in Buf- falo. The unfortunate woman was half crazed and penniless, and during the progress of the trial she spent most of the time in interrupting and abusing the able and eloquent gentleman who had so gener- ously taken up her cause without hope of compen- sation other than that furnished by success. Some- how his client's distracted mind conceived the idea that he was not true to her interests, and her con- duct during the trial was most embarrassing to him and would have made almost any other man aban- don the case with disgust; but he persisted with determined interest in her advocacy with the result of saving her from the gallows. The trial lasted a . Allanhr RtbltahmaM Fnjrovma Co NY CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. *95 month and attracted wide attention throughout western New York. At the conclusion of the trial James N. Matthews, editor of the Buffalo Express, devoted a long editorial in that paper to a review of this celebrated case, which he termed "one of the most remarkable trials on record." Among other things he said : •' Rarely has a court room been the scene of so many dramatic incidents in a single case as oc- curred during this fierce contention to save or to sacrifice a woman's life. * * * Mr. John Laugh- lin was her counsel, and never had lawyer a more ungrateful client or a more difficult and thankless task than it became his duty to perform when he undertook the defence of Hattie Penseyres. * * * He steadily pursued his faithful course unto the bitter end, and won admiration without stint as the reward of the indomitable courage, wonderful skill and energy, sleepless vigilance and tireless patience which marked his devoted though unrequited ser- vice in this woman's behalf. With a single bound Mr. Laughlin has taken a place in the front rank of our local advocates. This may bring him an ade- quate compensation for his earnest and eloquent defense of the friendless and irrational creature who had only reprobation for her generous advocate." The Judge who presided over the trial, in ad- dressing the accused before passing sentence, paid the following high tribute to Mr. Laughlin : " I think," said Judge Beck with, " you may well feel that by the services of your counsel your life has been saved. A counselor of this court has de- fended you with a courage, with a persistency, with a determination, and an ability, and with an eloquence that have excited the admiration of the whole community; and I think that his efforts have probably saved you from the gallows." At the close of tins memorable trial Mr. Laughlin sailed for Europe in company with a party of friends and spent most of his vacation traveling in Holland and Germany. July 4th, found them on the ocean, and the passengers all united in getting up a grand celebration. Mr. Laughlin was chosen orator of the day, and in mid-ocean he delivered his first Fourth of July oration, on board of a Dutch steamer of the Netherlands Line. He has enjoyed a large criminal practice in the State and United States Courts, and has met with unusual success in his efforts before juries. These incidents in his professional life and the general popularity, which was the result of an affable and kindly nature, as well as remarkable abilities and good judgment, naturally led Mr. Laughlin into politics. He al- ways had a taste for public speaking and he care- fully cultivated it in Lyceums and other public de- bating societies while in school and while reading law. Frequently he was called upon to deliver declamations and orations in school and upon other public occasions, and his delivery and eloquence were highly praised by the local press. During the Presidential campaign of 1880 Mr. Laughlin made his first political speeches in Niagara County. He organized a "First Presidential Voters" Republi- can Club in Lockport that year and acted as its President during the campaign. After removing to Buffalo he continued his interest in politics and he has taken an active part in every campaign since. He early made the acquaintance of James D. Warren, for years the Republican leader of Erie County and western New Y"ork, and the latter formed a strong liking for Mr. Laughlin and brought him into prominence at all political gather- ings. In the Presidential campaign of 1884 Mr. Warren was Chairman of the Republican State Committee, and wheu Mr. Blaine made his memora- ble tour through this State, Mr. Laughlin, at Mr. Warren's invitation, joined the party at Albany and accompanied them through the State. Mr. Warren placed him on the list of State speakers in that campaign, and the State Committee have called on him to render his services as a speaker in every important canvass since. When Mr. Warren died, in 1886, a special meeting of the Buffalo Re- publican League was called to take appropriate action upon his death. Mr. Laughlin was and still is a member of the League, and on that occasion he paid a very eloquent and feeling tribute to the memory of his deceased friend. Mr. Laughlin's name now began to be considered in connection with important positions. On October 24,- 1887, the Republican General Committee of Erie County nominated him for State Senator in the Erie Sena- torial District, Mr. McMillan, the regular nominee, having declined to run. On that evening a grand Republican mass-meeting was held at Music Hall in the city of Buffalo, at which Senator Allison of Iowa was the principal speaker. Mr. Laughlin spoke with deep feeling in response to the speech of Chairman Morey announcing his nomination in place of Senator McMillan. The following is a part of his speech : "I need hardly say that this honor was as un- sought as it was unexpected. My name was occa- sionally mentioned for this positon during the past summer, but the man does not live in this county or outside of it who can say that I ever said any- thing on this subject, but siruply that under no circumstances should I be a candidate against my friend Mr. McMillan ; that I did not desire the office, and should I be called upon to take it I would have to sacrifice my personal interests. But the Com- mittee having unanimously tendered me the nomi- nation, I feel that under the circumstances I would be unjust to my principles as a Republican and lacking in appreciation of the great honor which is bestowed upon me if I declined, and therefore I ac- cept. * * * I have some appreciation of the 196 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. magnitude and diversity of the interests of tins County in the State Legislature. The Senatorial District which Erie County comprises is, in my judgment, and is, I believe, generally recognized to be, "the most important Senatorial District in the State. This great city, with all its commercial and industrial interests, has an important part in the legislation of the Empire State. I fully appreciate the gravity of the responsibilities which I take upon myself in accepting this nomination : at the same time I am honest and candid in saying to you that should I be elected, should this nomination be ratified by the people on the 8th of November next, I will, as Senator from this district, always do what my judgment dictates to be for the best interests of all the people of Erie County." Mr. Laughlin's political opponent in this cam- paign was Spencer Clinton, a descendant of De Witt Clinton, and one of the foremost members of the bar in western New York. At the election on No- vember 8, 1887, Mr Laughlin was chosen to repre- sent Erie County in the Senate by a majority of 4.301, running about 2.000 ahead of his ticket. At the organization of the Senate he was made Chairman of the Canal Committee, and named third on the Judiciary Committee. He was also assigned to a place on the Committee on Game Laws and Indian Affairs. He was a powerful advocate of the canal interests of the State, and early in his Senatorial career took a leading part in all important debates on the floor of the Senate. He was the youngest of his party colleagues in that body'. In 1888 Mr. Laughlin was chosen by his Congressional District as one of its Delegates to the Republican National Convention at Chicago, and was a firm supporter of the candidacy of Chauncey M. Depew for Presi- dent. On Mr. Depew's withdrawal he voted for Mr. Harrison, with the great majority of the New York delegation. Mr. Laughlin has always felt a deep interest in the Irish Home Rule question. In 1886 he was a Delegate to the National Land League Convention held at Chicago. In 1889 he prepared and introduced resolutions which were adopted unanimously in the State Senate, complimenting Charles Stewart Parnell, the Irish leader, on his complete vindication from the charges of the London Times, and offering assurances of the most pro- found respect for the influence of Mr. Gladstone in the cause of Home Rule. In the fall of 1889 he was renominated for State Senator by acclamation in the Republican County Convention. In nominating Senator Laughlin for a second term, Hon. George Clinton, an ex-Member of Assembly from Erie County, among other eidogistic remarks, said : " The man has made his record and we all know it. We know that it is a record of truth to the peo- ple he has represented, of truth to the Republican party, and of truth brought into action by an ability which has shown him fully capable of occupying the position. As a young man he encountered those vicissitudes of life that always meet those without influential friends and without means, and who have to carve their way to success through opposition. This he has done. Among the fore- most in the ranks of the bar to-day, he has made a record in public life that any man ought to be proud of. A friend to the people, his record in the Legislature upon every measure which touches the interests of the people shows that he has been, and he will so continue : a friend of our institutions, those in which we have a particular local interest, he has shown by his action that he is." Mr. Daniel J. Kenefick, in seconding the nomina- tion, said in part : '• I take personal pride and gratification in sec- onding his nomination, for with Mr. Laughlin I delved into the mysteries of the law; under his tui- tion I concluded my studies, and I have had a special opportunity for noting his integrity and his generosity. Two years ago, by T the force of un- toward circumstances, he was compelled by r his party to step into a breach and accept a nomination which had been declined by Hon. Daniel H. McMil- lan. It seemed an impossibility for him to be elected under such circumstances, but, true to his generosity, true to his sturdy Republicanism, he was willing to make the sacrifice, and he entered into the canvass. The history of that canvass is known to you all It has never been equalled in this county, and the result was his election as Sen- ator by a majority. I believe, never before given for that office in this district." On being introduced to the Convention, Senator Laughlin made a lengthy speech, in which he re- viewed his own legislative career and considered most eloquently and cogently the revolution which had taken place in National politics during the past two years. Concluding his address he said : "My record in this important office is made, and has been before the people for months. I stand to- day in its presence, and in the presence of the as- sembled delegates of my party to accept this re- nomination : and if elected, guided and aided by my experience during the past two years in the Legislature, I pledge myself to do my r utmost to 1 care for and promote the needs and best interests of this great Senatorial District. * * * I shall, during the next two years, as I have during the past, do all that I can to guard and advance the commercial interests of our city, and promote the improvement and still higher development and capacity of the great water-w T ays of the State. Our canals are our only commercial salvation, and in all that pertains to their welfare we are most deeply interested. I will aid in bringing about any reform which will give us more equitable tax laws. I will be ever ready to protect and promote the interests of our laboring masses, and do all in my power to establish and maintain the just partnership which should always exist between capital and labor." The Democrats nominated for Senator Mr. Matthias Rohr, a strong and popular German, thinking thereby to draw away from the Republic CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 197 cans the large German vote iu the city of Buffalo. Among many newspaper editorials, complimenting Senator Laughlin on his past record, and summing up the characteristics which rendered him the most desirable as well as the most available candi- date, the following give us the best and most con- cise idea of the man. The Buffalo Morning Ex- press, speaking editorially of his re-nomination, said : "Two years ago Erie County honored John Laughlin by accrediting him to the upper cham- ber of the Legislature. This year the district will confer honor on itself by returning him to the Senate. The man has grown wonderfully in popu- lar estimation during his term. He has made a great name for himself. He was a success as an emergency candidate. What running strength will he not develop as an acknowledged leader of his party in the county and State ? He has deserved all his honors, and there are greater ones in store for him. The party has not forgotten how John Laughlin stepped into the breach two years ago, or the glorious victory he snatched from the jaws of defeat. Mr. Laughlin's magnificent record in the Senate has made him more popular at home than ever. The first time he entered the Senatorial race as a forlorn hope. He won, to the astonishment of everybody, by a big majority. This time he essays the contest as a tried, faithful and successful public servant, and it will be astonishing if he is not tri- umphantly elected. No man can truthfully deny Mr. Laughlin's fitness to represent the Erie District in the State Senate. Mr. Clinton spoke truly of him when he said : 'No man in the Legislature of the State of New York since the Erie Canal was completed, has been more active or energetic in advancing the interests of that canal, in whose in- terests our' own are bound up.' Mr. Laughlin's record justifies that eulogy. The future demands the same watchful care and the same intelligent ap- preciation of the needs of the canals. The same man should furnish them." The Buffalo ( 'omoicn-inl Aih-i rtixer said editorially : " The general approval which greeted the re- nomination of the Hon. John Laughlin for another term in the State Senate testifies to the esteem in which he is held by the Republicans of the district. There is no reasonable doubt of his re-election. He ill return to the State Legislature ripened, ex- perienced and better qualified by the knowledge gained during his first term to represent the best interests of his constituents and to augment the in- fluence he has alread} r attained in the Senate cham- ber by his manifest abilities. The Republicans, moreover, do not forget that the State Senator they elect now will have a voice in the election of a United States Senator." The Buffalo Catholic Union and Times, the leading Catholic journal of western New York, also speaks editorially of him as follows : "John Laughlin is one of the most practical and common sense representatives Erie County has ever sent to the State Senate. There is nothing but praise for Buffalo's brilliant young Senator for what he has accomplished in the interest of the canals." The Buffalo Evening Nem has the following to say of him editorially : " The re-nomination by acclamation of Senator Laughlin was expected. The News has expressed its opinion of him during the past week, and it can say again that a more faithful and capable official could not be rewarded for services to the people well performed. Erie county has had many bril- liant men in the Senate, but never one who has been more active and aggressive in upholding the rights and interests of his constituents than John Laughlin. He will be re-elected by a rousing ma- jority. Senator Laughlin is stronger with the peo- ple to-day than he was when he gained his magnifi- cent victory two years ago, and the election returns will show it." The Albany Evening Journal spoke editorially of his re-nomination as follows : " Senator John Laughlin of the Thirty-first Dis- trict has been renominated. He has proved himself an earnest and able legislator at Albany, who has faithfully served the interests of Buffalo and Erie County, and has been an independent-minded and aggressive Republican." Again, Senator Laughlin's personal popularity and his admirable record combined, resulted in his re-election against his influential German opponent by a majority of 2,579 votes. The election of 1889 developed many queer residts in Erie County. The majority given for the Republican State ticket was about 2,000. The Republican candidate for Mayor in the city of Buffalo was beaten by nearly 6,000, and the Democratic candidate for Surrogate of the County had over 8.000 majority. On the election of State Senator party lines were closely drawn, the Senator elected having to vote for the election of a United States Seuator in January, 1891, so that all things considered Senator Laughlin's triumph the second time, running, as he did, nearly six hun- dred ahead of his State ticket, was even more re- markable than his first election. During the cam- paign the Delegates to the Pan-American Congress were given a banquet by the citizens of Buffalo, at which Senator Laughlin responded to the toast " Reciprocity," and his speech was considered among the best there delivered. As an illustration of his oratorical ability, a brief quotation may be made from an address which he delivered in re- sponse to the toast, " The Empire State," at the second annual banquet of the Buffalo Press Club on the evening of December 4, 1889. After recounting the progress and triumphs of the news- paper press in the State of New York, and consid- ering the subject of education as an agency in our great development, he ran lightly and eloquently through the list of those who had been greatest at the bench, the bar and the forum of the Empire State, and concluded as follows : 198 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. " The commercial supremacy which New York has always enjoyed is seriously threatened by a tendency towards a stinted and illiberal canal pol- icy in the Legislature. These great avenues of commerce which furnish a cheap water route from our western inland seas, by the Hudson River, to the Atlantic, are capable of commanding the grain and other commerce of our country to be distrib- uted from New Y'ork, if developed to their fullest capacity. This is, indeed, ' A consummation de- voutly to be wished.' Another danger which con- fronts us is the corruption of the ballot. Under our present system abuses have grown tip which seriously threaten the administration of govern- ment by the will of the honest majority, and we must have ballot reform legislation which will remedy this evil. If the education of the masses continues to be among the first considerations of the State; if the representatives of the people will ' be liberal with our canals ; if we can have guaran- teed to us a pure ballot— New York will continue, through the century upon which we are just enter- ing, what she has been through the one we have so recently closed, the Empire State of the first American Republic." About the 1st of December, 1889, Mr. Laughlin organized a new law firm, Mr. Mcintosh retiring and Mr. Wilbur E. Houpt joining the firm. The firm name now becomes Laughlin, Ewell& Houpt, and Mr. Laughlin, who, at the time of this sketch is but thirty-three years of age, has every promise of a successful political and professional future. • COLLINS, HON. MICHAEL F., editor and pro- prietor of the Troy Observer, and State Senator from the Sixteenth District, comprising Rens- selaer and Washington Counties, was born in Troy, New York, September 27, 1854, on the site of Music Hall, on the corner of State and Second Streets. He was the second son of Patrick and Alice Collins, who were natives of County Limerick, Ireland. He was educated in the public schools, completing his studies in the Christian Brothers' Academy. In 18C9 he began to learn the printer's trade, his first work at the case being in the office of the Troy Weekly Prexs. The following year he entered the employ of the late Thomas Hurley, publisher of the Telegram, a Sunday paper. When the Telegram suspended publication Mr. Collins returned to the Troy Press, remaining there until the strike of the \ Union printers in that office in 1877. With a few of the other strikers he started the Evening Stand- a/rd, on which paper he filled the city editor's chair, and the local department under his guidance was regarded as the most newsy and independent in that section. In July, 1879, Mr. Collins disposed of his interest in the Standard and purchased the Sandfly Trojan and Observer of the late A. B. Elliott, and changed its name to the Troy Observer. W r ith Mr. Collins at the helm the Observer soon entered upon a prosperous career, until now it exerts a wide influence, has a large circulation and an excellent run of advertising. In politics Mr. Collins is a Democrat, and in 1885 he was induced to accept the nomination for Member of Assembly in the First Rensselaer District. Two candidates were pitted against him, Samuel Morris and James P. Hooley, but so great was Mr. Collins' popularity that he was elected by over seven hundred majority. The following year he was re-nominated, and so well had his course in the Legislature pleased his constit- uents that he was re-elected by more than 1,900 majority over John T. Ross, Republican, and Justus Miller, Prohibition. During his second term he showed such marked tact in caring for the inter- ests of his district that even the Republican papers in that section commended him highly for his ability and sterling integrity. In the fall of 1887 he accepted the Democratic nomination for Senator in the Sixteenth District, and, while there was a heavy adverse majority to overcome, few doubted his ability to win. His opponent was James H. Man- ville, of Washington County, and when the returns came in they showed that Mr. Collins had been elected by nearly 3,000 majority, a remarkable victory. In October, 1889, Mr. Collins was re- nominated for State Senator and elected over his opponent, James C. Rogers, by a plurality of 3,474, in the face of most extraordinary efforts by the Republican managers to encompass his defeat. Mr. Collins was married in December, 1880, to Carrie O'Sullivan, daughter of William and Catherine O'Sullivan, who was born in Troy, July 2, 1857. Five children have been born to them, all of whom are living. STRYKER, HON. JOHN, a distinguished citizen of Rome, was born at Orange, New Jersey, De- cember, 7, 1808, and died at Rome, where he had spent so many years of his useful and honorable life. His father, Daniel P. Stryker, a merchant at Orange, was a man of feeble health and consump- tive tendencies, and his death, which occurred in 1815, followed shortly upon a brief illness, the re- sult of slight exposure while crossing the water be- tween Orange and New York. In 1818 or 1819 the widow and her children, consisting of three sons and two daughters, removed to the village of Whitesboro, one of the inducements for doing so being the good schools at that place. She took up her abode with her sister, the widow of the Rev. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. I 99 Bethuel Dodd, who was childless and welcomed her and her little ones with true affection. In 1823 the eldest daughter and one of the sons died in the same week of scarlet fever. In 1831 another daughter died, and in the following year Mrs. Stryker passed to her reward. The eldest of the two remaining sons, John, the subject of this sketch, attended the school of Mr. Rawson, one of the instructors in the place. With a boy's ambition and a desire to help his mother, he gave up his studies at an early age to engage in mercantile pur- suits, taking a clerkship in the store of William G. Tracy, a respected merchant of Whitesboro. An old friend of Mr. Tracy's, a lawyer, named Thomas R. Gold, discerning many fine qualities in the lad, suggested to him that he study for the bar. The suggestion, so kindly given, was immediately acted upon by the boy, who took the place offered him in Mr. Gold's office and attended to his duties so well that in a short time he became the confidential clerk and manager of that noted lawyer, with whom he remained until his death in October, 1827. He then entered the office of Messrs. Storrs and White, a legal firm of high repute, with whom he finished his studies, and, in 1829, before he had completed his twenty-first year, he was admitted to the bar of Oneida County. Later in the same year he removed to Rome and became associated, as partner, with Allanson Bennett, a prominent lawyer of that place. At later periods in his life he was the law partner of ex-Judge Henry A. Foster, Charles Tracy, Calvert Comstock and B. J. Beach, — all able and well-known men. Although he never appeared much in the courts, he was a lawyer of line ability and always controlled a large share of a lucrative business. Mr. Stryker may be said to have been a born politician. In the arena of civil strife, in the caucus, the convention, and at the polls he seemed to be in his true element. Just as soon as he attained his majority and became en- titled to the full privileges of citizenship he turned his attention to politics — associating himself with the Democratic party, — and for forty years it held its charms for him and drew forth his best efforts and abilities. In 1832, in his twenty-third year, he was chosen a member of a delegation of citizens sent from Rome to Albany to aid in procuring the passage of a bill chartering the Bank of Rome. While on this mission, in which he performed his work creditably and successfully, he made the ac- quaintance of a number of prominent Democratic leaders, among them William L. Marcy, Silas Wright, Edwin Crosswell, Samuel Young and A. C. Flagg, with whom he afterwards became on terms of close and friendly intimacy. With the design of having the advantage of his push and energy in the work of obtaining a charter for the Syracuse and Utica Railroad Company, the people of Rome elected him to the Assembly in 1835. Through his skillful management the line of the road passed th rough Rome, and his constituents shared in the advantages of the enterprise. In 1837 he was ap- pointed Surrogate of Oneida County, and retained that office until 1847. when by the provisions of the new Constitution it became an elective office. This terminated his office-holding, but released from offi- cial duties he now devoted himself outright to politics. He was a delegate to no less than twelve State Con- ventions of the Democratic party, and also to four or five National Conventions. He served with dis- tinction on the State Democratic Committee for up- wards of ten years. "During a long period of his political life," said the Hon. D. E. Wager, in an address delivered before the Oneida Historical Society, at Utica, January 29, 1879, "he was in con- fidential correspondence with such eminent men as Governor Marcy, General Lewis Cass, Governor Bouck, Governor Manning, of South Carolina, John L. Dawson, of Pennsylvania, Edwin Croswell, etc., etc., and a life-long and devoted friend and admirer of Governor Seymour. The letters above referred to, if preserved, would make an interesting history of the times, and an important chapter of the move- ments of the Democratic party. To him and Judge Foster is Rome indebted for its prosperity in secur- ing the Black River Canal and the Syracuse and Utica Railroad, against active adverse interests, and the change of the Erie Canal from Rome Swamp to the center of the city, from which time Rome has continued to increase in prosperity, on a sound basis, and which have been the means of adding five- fold to her population." Mr. Stryker's influence in the management of his party and in the work of shaping its policy was very great, and it is doubtful if there were any in the ranks whose shrewdness and tact were more serviceable or more generally acknowledged, and whose advice was held more worthy to follow. He was a power in the Demo- cratic party and in his active day probably "made and unmade office-holders, and managed and man- ipulated conventions to a greater extent than any other man in the State." A critical observer has de- clared that " the politics of Oneida County and the history of State and National Conventions would be in a great measure shorn of their most interesting features, if all that Hon. John Stryker had to do therewith was left out." Mr. Stryker preserved his mental activity down to the close of his long and busy life. His memory was remarkable, retaining its grasp upon even the lightest details of a varied 200 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. experience of more than half a century. Long after he retired from active participation in politics he wielded a marked influence upon public affairs through his advice and counsel, and to his dying day he never lost interest in the welfare of his fel- low-citizens or in the progress of his country. Mr. Stryker married, early in life, a daughter of the Hon. Thomas H. Hubbard, a distinguished citizen and lawyer, late of TJtica, whose public career covered nearly half a century, during which he held consecu- tively the offices of Surrogate of Madison County, Deputy Attorney-General of the District, District Attorney of Madison County, Member of Congress and Presidential Elector. By this marriage there were five children. Mr. Stryker's brother was the Rev. Isaac P. Stryker, a Presbyterian clergyman, who after some thirty years or more of active devo- tion to the duties of his sacred calling at Urbana, Watkins and other places, settled in retirement in New Jersey. HOFFMAN, REV. EUGENE AUGUSTUS, D.D., Dean of the General Theological Seminary of .the Protestant Episcopal Church, was born in the city of New York in 1829. His parents resided in White Street, just east of Broadway. At that time there were but few of the better class of resi- dences above Canal Street, while the old Broadway stages ran only as far north as Bond Street. His early education was begun in Mr. Greenough's then well-known school in Yarick Street, and completed in Columbia College Grammar School, under Drs. Charles Antlion and Henry Drisler. His family having removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1842, he entered Rutgers College in the follow- ing year, and was graduated, at the early age of eighteen, in 1847. Desiring to pursue his studies still further, he entered Harvard University and took his bachelor's and master's degrees from that institution in 1848 and 1851. During the summer of 1848 he joined a party of sixteen persons under Pro- fessor Louis iVgassiz, some of whom were sent out by the German Universities and the Jarditi dex Plantes, Paris, to explore the then unbroken wilderness lying north of Lake Superior. The party was for nearly three months beyond the limits of civiliza- tion. It came back to Sault St. Marie by the south shore, making the complete circuit of that great lake in their frail birch canoes. After returning from that expedition he entered the General Theo- logical Seminary in New York, of which he is now (lie honored head, to begin his preparation for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was graduated from that institution in 1851, and ordered deacon, in Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, by the Bishop of New Jerse}-, the Right Rev. George Washington Doane, D.D. For two years he was diligently engaged in mission work in Grace Church, Elizabethport, New Jersey. In the spring of 1853 he accepted a call to the rector- ship of Christ Church, Elizabeth, N. J , then just organized, and was admitted to the priesthood by Bishop Doane in St. John's Church, Elizabeth. For ten years he remained in this parish, occupied in the work of establishing one of the earliest and most successful free churches in this country. A large stone chapel, afterwards enlarged and converted into the church building, a parish school house and a stone rectory, were built. This church was among the first in this country to have daily morn- ing and evening prayers and the weekly commu- nion, neither of which have ever been intermitted since the chapel was built. Dr. Hoffman also or- ganized two parish schools — a classical school for boys and a primary school for girls, which were highly successful. During the ten years of his rec- torship, the congregation, worshiping in a chapel seating but three hundred people and none of them rich in this world's goods, contributed, through the Sunday offerings, upwards of fifty thousand dollars. During this period Dr. Hoffman also gathered a congregation in Milburn, New Jersey, seven miles distant, by holding a third service there on Sundays, organized a parish, and built St. Stephen's Church, a chaste country church, seating nearly five hun- dred persons. This accomplished, he turned his at- tention to Woodbridge, some ten miles from Eliza- beth, where there stood an ante-Revolution church, for years without a congregation. This ancient edi- fice took fire on the second occasion of its being reopened, and was entirely consumed. Nothing daunted by this disaster, the services were continued in the Presbyterian Church, kindly loaned for the purpose, a congregation gathered, and a brick church erected on the site of the one that was burnt, sur- rounded by the graves of nearly two centuries. At the same time his sympathies were enlisted in be- half of St. James' Church, Hackettstown, New Jer- sey, which was heavily in debt and had fallen into the hands of the Sheriff. By personal efforts he secured sufficient to pay the debt and present the church free and clear to the Diocese. In the spring of 1863, at Bishop Odenheimer's earnest solicitation, he accepted the rectorship of St. Mary's Church, Burlington, New Jersey, succeeding Bishop Doane, now the Bishop of Albany. This parish was at that time encumbered with a debt of twenty-three thousand dollars, and had not sufficient income to - DEAN OF THE GENERAL THEOLO GICAL SEMINARY ]ffEW"YORK. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 20I meet the annual interest on the indebtedness. With his characteristic financial ability, he immediately grappled with this encumbrance on the parish, and in less than one year, notwithstanding the country was at the time engaged in a terrible war, he had the satisfaction of wiping out the entire debt and raising sufficient to place a large peal of bells in the church tower, with an endowment for the ringers. During his connection with New Jersey, Dr. Hoff- man held numerous positions of trust ; for many years he was a trusted adviser of Bishop Doane dur- ing his trials; Secretary of the Standing Commit- tee; Secretary of the Diocesan Convention, and Trustee of Burlington College and St. Mary's Hall. In 1864 Dr. Hoffman removed to Brooklyn, New York, to become rector of the large and important parish of Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights. To his exertions was due the erection of the fine parish building which adjoins the church on the west. During his rectorship the parish attained the high- est degree of prosperity, and the liberal system of large annual offerings for missions, for which it is still so notably distinguished, successfully inaugu- rated. In this church during his rectorship, the meeting was held which decided the erection of the Diocese of Long Island. When the Diocese was or- ganized he was prominently mentioned for its Bishop and elected the President of its Standing Committee. He was also one of the most active Trustees of the Church Charity Foundation. The keen air of Brooklyn Heights seriously affecting his health, he resigned in 1869 and accepted the rector- ship of St. Mark's Church, Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, to try the effect of a milder climate, removed from the influence of the salt air of the seaboard. The following were among the resolutions unani- mously adopted by the vestry at the time of his resignation : " Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights,) New York, February 22, 1869./ "■Resolved. That it is with the greatest sorrow that w e part with our rector, who has by his earnest efforts and faithful ministry in our parish, for five years past, secured our entire respect and affection- ate regard. "Resolved. That in view of the great prosperity of our parish, which has attended his administra- tion of its affairs, we cannot reflect on the proposed separation, without anxious solicitude and deep regret. " Resolved. That we shall always remember with gratitude the kind pastoral care of our rector, par- ticularly his unremitting attention and frequent visits to the sick and afflicted, which have been so much valued by them, and also to the poor of the parish, to whom he has been a most faithful friend and liberal benefactor, and who will long mourn his loss. "Resolved. That our rector leaves us an united parish, and by our earnest prayers for his health and happiness in his new proposed field of labor, and our hope that he may be as successful in the future, as he has been in the past. (Signed) Henry E. Pierrepont, Charles E. Bill, Wardens, Alexander V. Blake, A. W. Benson, W. C. Sheldon, R. L. Wheeler, John Blunt, H. Messenger, Henry Sanger, J. P. Atkinson, Vestrymen." He immediately secured for St. Mark's Church a large and commodious rectory, and within a year organized the first Working Men's Club in this country. Its methods of operation, which were partially adopted from those prevailing in England, proved so successful that it soon numbered five hundred members, and furnished the pattern for numerous similar clubs now found in all parts of the country. Finding it impossible, owing to the crowded congregations, to provide seats in the par- ish church for many of the laboring classes, he opened the church for free services every Sunday evening, at each of which the sacred edifice was filled to its utmost capacity. During his rectorship many costly improvements were made in the church building, the windows filled with the richest Eng- lish glass as memorials, and a superior peal of Eng- lish bells hung in the tower. When he resigned after ten years of faithful service, it was found that the communicants had increased from four hundred to one thousand, and the offerings had averaged about forty-four thousand dollars a year; seven hundred and seventy-six persons had been baptized, and four hundred and forty-six presented to the Bishop for confirmation. During the whole period of his rectorship, though suffering still from the affection of his throat which he contracted in Brooklyn, he was untiring in his labors and kept the parish in a most efficient and thoroughly organized condition. Never before had the real power of St. Mark's parish been so called into service or its libe- rality been so developed. Nor did Dr. Hoffman con- fine his labors to his parish. He was an active worker in the Boards of Trustees of all the Diocesan institutions — the large Episcopal Hospital, the Episcopal Academy, the Diocesan and City Mis- sions, the Prayer Book and Tract Societies. In all these positions he was noted for his untiring indus- try, his good judgment and his financial ability. A prominent financier, who had some business tran- sactions with him, remarked after an interview, that in making him a clergyman they had spoiled a first class bank president. Others were wont to call him (playing upon his initials E. A. H.) Executive 202 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Ability Hoffman. When he left Philadelphia to be- come Dean of the General Theological Seminary in New York, Bishop Stevens, though materially differing from his school of churchmanship, sent him the following complimentary letter : "Diocese of Pennsylvania, Episcopal Rooms,) No. 708 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, May 31, 1879.) My dear Brother : — I cannot let you go from this diocese without telling you that in your departure I shall experience a very great loss. During j our living in this city I have ever found you thoroughly loyal, wise in council, earnest in every enterprise in which you were engaged, and never remiss in any duty laid upon you. We have been associated to- gether in many institutions and on many occasions, and it has ever been a satisfaction to me to act with you and to enjoy your society. I shall miss you as a warm personal friend, and also as a judicious and practical adviser in various important transactions of church work, and this loss it will be difficult to make up. I am glad that you are to be the head of General Theological Seminary. It needs your wise and strong action, and I earnestly pray that the Holy Ghost may give you all needed grace and understanding to discharge the most important functions soon to devolve upon you. Wishing you all personal happiness for yourself, your wife, and your children, and' commending you and yours to the Great Head of the Church, I remain, dear brother, Very truly yours, W. Baoon Stevens. "Rev. E. A. Hoffman, D.D." As intimated in the foregoing letter, Dr. Hoffman was not allowed to remain merely in charge of a parish. It was felt by those who had watched his work that he should have a larger sphere of useful- ness. Several times he came very near being elected a Bishop. But providentially he was reserved for the eminent position which he now so successfully fills, and where he has left a permanent monument of his work, as Dean of the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. His election to this responsible posi- tion, after twice declining to allow his name to be used in connection with it, gave great satisfaction to the church, and his acceptance of it was warmly urged by prominent Bishops and such men as Drs. Dix, Dyer and John Cotton Smith. They felt confi- dent that under his administration the Seminary, which had been dragging along without sufficient endowment and with a steadily increasing debt, the foot-ball of party differences in the church, would soon have a new lease of life, and take its stand in the forefront of the church's work in this western world. Their anticipations have been more than realized. In less than ten years he has secured by his efforts over seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, given to add to the invested funds or for the erection of the new buildings. Endowments for two professorships, an ample foundation for the support of future Deans, provision made for a Fel- low, for instructors in elocution and church music, and the endowment of the Bishop Paddock Lecture- ship, modelled after the Bampton lectures in Eng- land, are among the things added to its permanent usefulness. At the same time Chelsea Square has been rapidly occupied by structure after structure, until the two quaint gray stone buildings, which belong to the olden time, have been almost hidden from view. Sherred Hall, furnishing a separate lecture-room for each professor; Dehon, Pintard and Jarvis Halls, used as dormitories for the students; the spacious Deanery ; the large fire-proof library building ; and lastly the magnificent Chapel of the Good Shepherd, without a peer in this coun- try, erected by the Dean's mother as a memorial to her husband, are already completed and extend from the corner of Twentieth Street along Ninth Avenue, and down Twenty-first Street, half way to Tenth Avenue, forming the east quadrangle and re- minding the visitor of one of the old "Quads" in Cambridge or Oxford. These buildings, with the additional endowments, have placed the Seminary before the Episcopal Church as its highest school of the prophets, and with future endowments, some of which, we are told, are already pledged, will ren- der it one of the best equipped seats of theological learning in the world. To this the family of the Dean has largely contributed, and if report is true, the Dean has himself given his entire salary and al- so made large contributions to add to the funds of the institution. In addition to his duties as Dean, Dr. Hoffman devotes considerable time to other general institutions of the church, rarely being ab- sent from the meetings of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society, the Clergymens' Retiring Fund Society, the Society for Promoting Religion and Learning in the State of New York, Trinity School and the Corporation for the Relief of Widows and Children of Clergymen. In all these societies he takes an active interest, and in several of them acting as Chairman of the committee charged with the care of their large Trust Funds. He has also represented the Diocese of New York in the four last General Conventions, serving on many of its important committees. He received the degree of Doctor in Divinity lrom Rutgers College in 1863, from Racine College in 1882, from the Seminary in 1885, and from Columbia College in 1886. He is the author of several small works, a valuable manual of devotion for communicants, besides various ser- mons, addresses and review articles. The following description of his personal appearance while rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn, New York, will still- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 203 serve to bring him before us, though twenty added years have tinged his beard with gray : " Dr. Hoffman is above the medium height, and of those equal proportions which are considered the most graceful in man. The characteristics of his countenance are those of intellect and amiability. You see that he is quick of thought and gentle of heart. When he talks there is a measure of reflec- tion in his manner, but it is equally clear that his convictions are rapid, and at the same time likely to be reliable. His face has a natural habit of re- lapsing into a smile, and in conversation, while he seems busy with his thoughts, there are constant flashes of this brightness which overspread it. He has a full clear eye, searching in its glance, it is true, but still soft and winning. His manners are frank, courteous and every way polished, with a moderate amount of well sustained dignity. He is a man who takes great enjoyment in his own domes- tic circle, and he is eminently social in other respects. But it is readily to be seen that his mind and heart are never for a moment led away from his religious work. All his duties are exactly and faith- fully performed ; no toil overtasks him ; no discour- agements dishearten him; and at all times and un- der all circumstances you find him the same ardent Christian. He is not only a deeply religious man, but conscientious and strict in his particular faith. The doctrines of his church are at once his enthusi- asm and his hope, and his patient effort is to show in his own life their comfort and beauty. Dr. Hoffman's sermons are eminently practical in their bearing. Being so much a person of system, judg- ment and the immediate direction of all means to the end sought to be accomplished, he is not dif- ferent in his style of writiug. There is a warmth and grace about his words, and at times, a polished and moving eloquence ; but the prominent and over- shadowing peculiarity is a plain, forcible expression of common'sense views. His delivery is without much gesture and in every way unassuming. He has a strong and altogether pleasant voice. His earnest and uniformly successful labors have won him a conspicuous place among the Episcopal clergy. Without parade of his ability, and the most unobtrusive of men in advancing his own per- sonal advantage, still he is careful that he is behind no man in willingness, devotion and confidence in the line of Christian duty." TALMAGE, REV. THOMAS DEWITT, D.D., the eminent Presbyterian clergyman, was born in Bound Brook, New Jersey, January 7, 1832. His father was David Talmage, once Sheriff of Somerset County, four of whose sons became minis- ters of the gospel, viz.: T. DeWitt Talmage, the most talented of the brothers ; John Van Nest Talmage, a missionary of the Reformed Church in China, and author of a Chinese-English dictionary, besides be- ing translator of several books of the Bible into the Amoy colloquial dialect, and John R. and Goyn Talmage. Another brother was the late David Talmage, a wealthy and influential New York mer- chant and one of the organizers of the Native Ameri- can Party and the Order of United Americans. He was for many years a prominent figure in political and mercantile circles in the metropolis. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated in the University of the City of' New York, in the class of 1853, but was not graduated. In 1856 he was a student at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, gradu- ating from there with distinguished honors. He was first ordained pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in Belleville, New Jersey, and held this position nearly three years ; and even so early in his career became generally noted for his earnest- ness, fearlessness and vigor. From 1859 until 1862 Mr. Talmage had charge of a church in Syracuse, New York, and, in 1862, occupied the pulpit of the Second Reformed Church of Philadelphia, where he remained for seven years, creating for himself a lasting record and a remarkable local popularity, which always filled the church to its utmost capac- ity. During the War of the Rebellion he was Chap- lain of a Pennsylvania regiment. In 1869 he left Philadelphia and accepted a call to the Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, which was at that time situated on Schermerhorn Street. When he took this church it was by no means in the flour- ishing condition to which, through the successful administration of its energetic pastor, it afterwards attained. Prior to his occupancy of the pulpit the church had been in the charge of the Rev. J. Edson Rockwell, (father of the late eminent physician, Dr. Frank D. Rockwell), who, after fourteen years of service, had retired to Staten Island. It is to be said of Dr. Rockwell's incumbency that the finances of the church were administered with great judg- ment and success, and it was owing to his efforts that the building on Schermerhorn Street had been erected in 1854. Up to the time of the accession of Mr. Talmage, the building had been sufficiently large for the congregation, but under the preaching of the new minister it was soon found inadequate to contain the large numbers of those who desired to hear him. In 1870 property was purchased on Schermerhorn Street, and the building known as the Tabernacle was erected on the ground between the old building and Third Avenue. It was in the form of a Roman amphitheatre ; was built of wood and iron, and was remarkable for its cheapness, lightness and the rapidity with which it was erected. It had a seating capacity of three thousand four hundred, and in 1871 was enlarged so as to seat five hundred more. Mr. Talmage had by this time be- come widely known for his eloquence and origi- nality, and crowds flocked every Sunday to hear 204 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. him, while the church became so flourishing as to be able to pay its pastor the munificent salary of seven thousand dollars per year. Everything about the Brooklyn Tabernacle was managed on a scale of broad liberality, and no money was spared which could add to the comfort as well as the beauty of the edifice. The immense organ used in the Boston Jubilee was purchased by the church; when, just as everything was running satisfactorily, the building was destroyed by fire on Sunday night, December 22, 1872. Pending the erection of a new building, services were temporarily held in the Academy of Music. < >» the 7th of June, 1873, the corner stone of the second Tabernacle was laid with imposing ceremonies. On this stone was the following in- scription : "Brooklyn Tabernacle, Built 1870; Destroyed By Fire December 22, 1872: Rebuilt 1873." The new building was completed and dedicated February 22, 1874, in the preseni c of an immense concourse of people. It was a hew departure in the history of church architecture, being constructed in the form of a horseshoe, though otherwise in the Gothic style, and was the largest Protestant church in the United States, having seats for five thousand persons. Its acoustic qualities were ex- cellent', the walls and ceiling being built with a view to their acting as sounding-boards. This church had neither spire nor bell, and altogether could hardly fail to impress the casual visitor as in- congruous iu its structure, the idea of which origi- nated in the brain of Mr. Talmage. It was. however, constructed with good judgment, and practically served its purpose perfectly. Every one could see and hear the preacher, whose pulpit was placed in the middle of the large open space of the horseshoe form, and he was thus made the focal point of in- terest. On the Sabbath following the day of dedi- cation more than three hundred new communicants were admitted to the church. One of the first im- portant acts of Mr. Talmage in his new church, was to institute a crusade against the practice of raising funds by pew-renting, and his earnestness in endeavoring to bring about the abolition of this custom at length triumphed, and the seats in the church were thrown open to all without price. The financial condition of the church did not appear to suffer by this change, as it continued in a flour- ishing condition, though supported entirely by vol- untary contributions, including the weekly collec- tions. In 1872 Mr. Talmage had organized in the building, which had formerly been occupied by his congregation, a Lay College for religious training, and this innovation on customary practice became a successful institution. He became also very popu- lar as a lecturer, appearing at least once a week in some part of the country in this capacity, and at- tracting large audiences. It is said of him that he has made more money than any other lecturer, and lectures oftener, with the result that he has amassed considerable wealth by this means. A few years ago Mr. Talmage made a visit to London, where his preaching attracted general attention, being widely considered and criticised through 'he papers. Summaries of his sermons were cabled to New York at great expense, and printed in the leading morning papers. He also lectured else- where in Great Britain, affording the greatest satis- faction to the crowds who went to hear him. In 1862 the University of the City of New York gave Mr. Talmage the degree of Master of Arts, and, in 18G4, he received that of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Tennessee. While his sermons have been published weekly in nearly six hundred weekly and secular journals in the United States and in Europe, and translated into various lan- guages, his numerous lectures, addresses, sketches and light essays on moral subjects have also re- ceived wide circulation in the magazines and weekly papers. He edited the Christian at Work, New York, 1873- 76, the Advance, Chicago, 1877-'78, and has for some time had charge of Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine. Dr. Talmage has published '• The Almond Tree in Blossom," (1870) ; " Crumbs Swept Up," (1870) : " Sermons," four volumes, (New York, 1872-'75); "Abominations of Modern So- ciety," (New York, 1872); second edition, (1876) ; "One Thousand Gems of Brilliant Passages and Anecdotes," (1873) ; " Old Wells Dug Out," (1874); "Around the Tea Table," (Philadelphia, 1874): "Sports that Kill," (New York, 1875); "Every Day Religion," (1875) ; "Night Sides of City Life," (1878); "Masques Taken Off," (1879); "The Brooklyn Tabernacle, a Collection of One Hundred and Four Sermons," (1884), and " The Marriage Ring," (1886). An interesting incident in regard to one of these works by Dr. Talmage — " Night Sides of City Life" — is the fact that the ma- terial for the book was collected by the Doc- tor through personal visitation among the haunts of sin and iniquity in the metropolis, which he visited night after night accompanied by a de- tective. He went through the most degraded quarters of the city, and visited the most disreputa- ble and immoral resorts, to the end that he might, by personal observation, inform himself in such a manner that what he might have to say thereafter upon the subject should have the vital stamp of truth. For this pilgrimage Dr. Talmage received a good deal of cheap antagonistic criticism on the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 205 part of light-witted newspapers, but to that he was indifferent, his motive being pure, and the result of the inquest which he instituted being beneficial im- mediately to his congregation, and still more ex- tensively through wide-spread distribution in dif- ferent publications of his descriptions. Dr. Tal- mage's churches, however, seem destined to misfor- tune. On October 13, 1889, being Sunday, at a quarter to three in the morning, fire was discovered shooting through the melted stained glass windows of the Tabernacle, and the alarm was at once given. Two minutes later the fire engines were on the spot, but the conflagration within the church was already beyond control. A second and a third alarm were sent out together, and every engine and hook and ladder company that could be reached were brought to the scene. The heat, however, was so utterly unendurable, that no fireman could approach with- in one hundred feet of the blazing building, and hot only the Tabernacle, but a dozen small dwellings and other houses were totally destroyed. Tempor- ary quarters were found in the Academy of Music, and the Trustees of the Tabernacle assembled on the same day and passed a series of resolutions an- nouncing their desire, with the aid of the public, to proceed at once to rebuild. On the following day Dr. Talmage published an appeal, asking for one hundred thousand dollars, which, added to the in- surance, would make up a sufficient amount to erect a new Tabernacle. The building was insured for one hundred and thirty thousand dollars, but tUU did not meet the entire loss, particularly that of the organ built by Jardine, which cost the church forty thousand dollars. In an interview with Dr. Talmage on the day after the burning of the Taber- nacle, he gave the following statement : " 'I'm a sound sleeper,' said Dr. Talmage, and the thunder storm after midnight did not wake me up. But some of my family were aroused, and some time between two and three in the morning they awakened me to see a bright light in the sky, as of a great fire. As soon as I looked from the windows I seemed to feel that it was our church that was on fire, and when I went up to the roof to get a better view from the observatory, I could see the whole Tabernacle a mass of flames, the arched cathedral windows and the pointed Gothic walls outlined in fire. I dressed and hurried to the spot — about half a mile distant — but of course was too late to be of any use. There was nothing to do but to sadly look on and watch the destruction of the building which had been our church home for fifteen years, and where we have been prospered and blessed of God, never being visited by misfor- tune until now. It is just seventeen years ago since the first Tabernacle, on the same spot, was burned down in the same way. It was on a Sun- day morning also — December 22, 1872 — and I was on my way to church to conduct the services as usual, when the fire broke out. That fire was sup- posed to have been caused by a defective flue, but I the present one can be explained only on the theory that it was kindled by a lightning stroke or by the electric light wires which were connected with the building. The furnaces under the church had not yet been lighted." On the following Sunday, October 20, standing on the stage of the Academy of Music, Brooklyn, the Rev. Dr. Talmage preached on the subject of the destruction of the Tabernacle, his text being Acts 20 : 24. " None of these things move me." " Our affections arc clambering all over the ruins, and I could kiss the ashes that mark the place where it once stood. I cannot think of it as an in- animate pile, but as a soul — a mighty soul, an in- destructible soul. I am sure that majestic organ had a soul, for we have often heard it speak and sing and shout and wail. We will not turn aside one inch from our determination to do all we can [ for the present and everlasting happiness of all the j people whom we may be able to meet. I have made and I now make appeal to all Christendom to help us. We want all Christendom to help, and I will acknowledge the receipt of any contribution, great or small, with my own hand. We want to build larger and better. We want it a national church, in which people of all creeds and of all na- tions may find a home. The contributions already- sent make a small-hearted church forever impossi- ble. If we had ^300,000 we would put them all into one grand monument to the mercy of God. People ask on all sides about what we shall build. I answer : It all depends on the contributions sent in from here and from the ends of the earth. I say now to all Baptists, that we shall have in it a bap- tistry I say to all Episcopalians, we shall have in our service, as heretofore, at our communion table portions of the Liturgy. I say to all Catholics, we shall have a cross over the pulpit, and probably on the tower. I say to the Methodists, we mean to sing there like the voices of mighty thunderings. I say to all denominations, we mean to preach a re- ligion as wide as heaven and as good as God. We have said we had a total loss. But there was one exception. The only things we have saved were the silver communion chalices, for the}' happened to be in another building, and I take that fact as typical that we are to be in communion with all Christen- dom." He closed thus : " Good-by, old Tabernacle. I put my fingers to my lips and throw a kiss to the departed church. Good-by, Brooklyn Tabernacle of 1873 ! But a wel- come to our new church. I see it as plainly as though already built. Your gates wider, your songs more triumphant, your gatherings more glorious! Rise out of the ashes and greet our wait- ing vision I Burst on our souls, O day of our church's resurrection ! By your altars may we be prepared for the hour when the fire shall try every man's work for what sort it is. Welcome, Brook- lyn Tabernacle of 1890 ! " After the sermon Dr. Talmage announced that the Trustees had already purchased a piece of prop- erty on the northeast corner of Clinton and Greene 206 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Avenues as a site for a new church. • This plot, he said, measured one hundred and fifty by two hun- dred feet, and that the ground would be broken on October 28. He also announced that a projected tour in the Holy Land, which he had abandoned in his mind after the burning of the Taberuacle, now that they had succeeded in obtaining a site for a new church, he had decided to prosecute after his original intention, and that he would sail on Octo- ber 30 on the City of Paris and probably be absent until February. Ground was broken in accordance with the announcement made ; and contracts were made for the completion of the new Tabernacle by September 1, 1890, to cost sfa.^OOO. The plans were drawn by John B. Snook & Sons, the distin- guished architects, of New York. The design of the edifice, originally intended to be in the old Norman style, has been changed recently so that in- stead of a Norman-Gothic style of structure, with lofty, spindling spires, the new structure will be of a half English Gothic and Romanesque order. The building material of the main church structure, with the exception of the main tower, will be pressed brick, with cut and rough stone trimmings. The tower is to be one hundred and fifty feet in height, and will have a low spire crowned with a weather vane. From the ground floor round but- tresses will rise on the corners to the cornice of the tower. A low turret, with a cone-shaped cap, crowned with a terminating apex of a fleur-de-lix in stone, will surmount the main corner of the tower. The interior corner of the tower will have more or- nate and higher turrets. These will be capped with a cone-shaped dome. These turrets will be joined to the low spire by a flying buttress contain- ing two open arches in stone. The whole will be flanked on the Greene and Clinton Avenue sides by high gabled and mullioned dormer windows, which will open into the spire. There will be two wide, arched entrances on the ground floor of the tower, which will open on Greene and Clinton Avenues. The arches will be of the Roman style, but in stone, and they are to be under Gothic gables. The whole will rest on clusters of short pilasters. On the second story of the arch will be two apsidal bays fronting the avenues, and each containing three large mullioned windows. On the next story will be two large arched windows, the arches of which will rest on a colonnade of Corinthian columns. There are but few other changes from the first plans. Uuderneath the large mullioned window on the Greene Avenue side a broad porched entrance has been added. The shape of the interior is that of a large amphitheatre, semi-circular, with two galleries. The building will seat five thousand per- sons. Dr. Talmage made his promised visit to Eu- rope, hurrying through Asia Minor, Syria, and to Palestine, to fulfill his original intention of making a careful observation of the Holy Land. He did, however, pause long enough in Athens to preach on the very spot where the apostle Paul preached ; and in Constantinople, where he was January 3, 1890, he was tendered a public reception by the United States Minister, the Consul-General, members of the American College, and prominent visitors and residents of the city. Dr. Talmage was well and graciously- received everywhere on his journey abroad. Special courtesies were extended him by United States Minister Lincoln in London. In the course of a long and interesting interview with a representative of the New York Herald in London, Dr. Talmage thus graphically describes some of his experiences : "The three months I have spent in the Holy Laud have been three months of tremulous excite- ment. Again and again I have been overcome with emotion as I visited and saw with my own eyes — yes, touched with my hands — the things Christ saw and touched. Leaving aside all questions of sac- red associations and historical suggestiveness Pal- estine, the natural scenery itself, is majestic beyond description. * * * The Holy Land is a vast wilder- ness of mighty rocks, ranging in size from moun- tains down to the sands of the ocean. These rocks are becoming skeletonized. A process of disinte- gration is going on, and the lime is melting into the soil and enriching it. The day is coming when the Sea of Galilee, instead of being a desolate sheet of water with a handful of people on its shores sup- porting a meagre existence, will become the source of wealth and great commercial activity. Its bosom will be covered with fleets of merchantmen, and throned beside it will be cities with populations reaching into five hundred thousand. Every nerve in my body has thrilled as I have reached one place after another and read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on the very spots where Christ once stood. I not only recognized the local- ities by their descriptions, but recognized ever}' ob- ject referred to in the sacred passages. Had I gone there an infidel I would have been converted to Christianity. I should have said, ' It is impossible that the Scriptures are a concoction or the inven- tion of imposters.' Think of how I felt when I reached the Jordan after sleeping the previous night in the ruins of Joshua's Jericho ! Think of how I felt when a man in our party came and asked me to baptize him ! He wished to be immersed in the very waters where our Saviour was baptised. I found the candidate a professing Christian and an earnest man, and consented. There was a sheik who preceded our caravan, and his robe was just like a baptismal robe, and I put it on, and we found another white robe for the candidate. Then, standing on the Jordan, I read from my Bible the story of the baptism of Christ, when ' the Spirit of God descended like a dove from heaven, and a voice was heard saying, " This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." ' CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 207 •' Mj r daughter wrote out some copies of a favor- ite hymn which we sing at home, and all present — friends, pilgrims and strangers — joined in singing it there on Jordan's banks. Then we went down into the water, and under willows, still green in midwinter, I baptised the Christian. That was the most overwhelming moment of my life. We traveled all over that region. I have eaten fish caught in the Sea of Galilee, have bathed in it and sailed on its waters. I wanted to realize how the apostles felt in the storm. To give you an idea of how quickly storms arise on that inland sea I will say that within five minutes after we had glided out on a surface as smooth as glass a tempest arose and swept down so fiercely, and the waves ran so high that we could only escape by landing at Ca- pernaum. I have ascended Mount Calvary, and now I know why it is called the Place of the Skull. To me it is a wonder that there was ever a dispute as to the identity of the place. Looking at the peak from a distance, it exactly re- sembles the human cranium, with the two sightless sockets under its brow. I went up to the place where the three crosses stood. I have no doubt of their precise location. There is just room enough for three men to die. I stood on the site of the center cross, where it certainly must have stood, and taking out my Bible I read to the friends around me the story of the Crucifixion. I could not finish it : my feelings overcame me and I broke down. As I stood looking down the slope of Cal- vary I saw a reddish rock below me. I rolled it down the hill with my own hands, and had it car- ried on the backs of camels to Joppa, where it was put on shipboard, and it is now on its way to Brooklyn. That stone is to be the corner stone of the new Tabernacle I am building to replace the one recently destroyed by fire. You have heard of course, that I preached on Mars Hill — where Paul once stood, On my way thither I stopped to look at a little temple dedicated ' To the Unknown God.' Paul himself must have stopped there on his way to Mars Hill, and I understood what he meant when he said, ' For as I passed by and beheld your devotions I found an altar with this inscription, "To the Unknown God." Whom, therefore, ye ig- norantly worship, Him declare I unto you.' It was the boldest thing said and the boldest thing ever done in history. I met the King and Queen of Greece during my visit to Athens. I never saw a more lovable or gracious person than she. I also had a pleasant meeting with M. Tricoupis, the Prime Minister of Greece. He was not only exceed- ingly courteous, but his sister entertained Mrs. Talmage, and it was through him we were presented to the royal family. While at a dinner given by him I expressed the wish to one of the guests, with- out the faintest hope of having it granted, to have a piece of rock from Mars Hill, where Paul stood. I was told to write a note to the Prime Minister. I did so, and within an hour an answer came back that my desire would be gratified. Accordingly, a big block of granite was cut from the rock and it is to be hewn into a pulpit for my new Tabernacle Church in Brooklyn." While in England Dr. Talmage visited and was most cordially entertained by Mr. Gladstone. His return to home and friends was characterized by a reception and welcome which told in unmistakable terms of the love, esteem and veneration he enjoys in the community where he has labored so long and well. At the first Sunday service after his return there was an atmosphere of joyous welcome, the ser- vice, which was elaborate and beautiful, was of thanksgiving and praise, and the great preacher was at his best. In the prime and vigor of his manhood, guided by the ripe experience of thirty years de- voted to religious teaching, Dr. Talmage is one of the most impressive figures in the American pulpit of the present day. More than any other man, he represents the peculiar American characteristics of originality, moral courage and eloquence. In per- son, his tall, somewhat ungainly but striking figure, and his rugged and massive but impressive features always make a deep impression on those who see him for the first time. Again, his eloquence is sui generis, characterized by a degree of force and or- iginality at once, not to be found of the same degree combined in any other American speaker. His style is affluent of the most startling and unex- pected metaphors, and the vigorous and decisive manner in which he pushes home the most deter- mined and absolute propositions produces an effect upon his auditors which is dramatic in the extreme. Indeed, Dr. Talmage has so frequently in the pub- lic press been denominated a theatrical preacher, and so peculiarly has he been sacrificed upon the altar of caricature, that those who have never lis- tened to him and become familiarized with the pe- culiarities of the man and his methods would ob- tain anything but a correct idea regarding him. His name has been bruited abroad as that of a " popular" preacher. This title has grown to have a significance in this connection quite foreign from that which properly belongs to it. It is forgotten by the small critics thus illy informed, that three- quarters of a century ago Edward Irving was a "popular" preacher in London; that Charles Robert Maturin was a "popular " preacher in Dub- lin ; that Pere Hyacinthe was a '• popular " preach- er, and that so was Theodore Parker and Thomas Starr King in Boston ; Beecher in Brooklyn ; Cha- piu in New York ; and Spurgeon in London. It is not always that the popular judgment errs in its choice ; and thoughtful men recognize that it has not erred in the instance of Dr. Talmage, who, with all his idiosyncrasies and peculiarities, has been ever faithful to the high ideal which he has set before him, honest in his convictions, deter- mined, courageous and energetic in his endeavors to bring humanity to a more right and less erron- eous view of their duties, and the best means for accomplishing them. 208 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. DEEMS, REV. CHARLES FORCE, D.D., LL.D., pastor of the Church of the Strangers, New York, and one of the most distinguished di- vines of the metropolis, was born in Baltimore, on December 4, 1820. His father was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Young Deems had become strongly religious before he entered college, which was at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1839. Feel- ing himself called to the Christian ministry, he was duly licensed to preach in the Methodist Church during his senior year. After graduating, he re- mained for a winter in New Y 7 ork, studying in all his spare time, and preaching in the city churches. In 1840, when only twenty years of age, he was ap- pointed general agent of the American Bible So- ciety and directed to begin Ins labor in North Caro- lina. He continued to sustain this agency for about a year, being offered the Professorship of Logic and Rhetoric in the University of North Caro- lina, at Chapel Hill, in 1841. Here he remained, tilling the office satisfactorily to all concerned, dur- ing the next five years, when he accepted the Pro- fessorship of Natural Sciences in the Randolph-Ma- con College, at Ashland, Virginia. He held this chair, however, for a year only, when he returned to North Carolina, and was stationed at Newberu, where he remained until 1849; and in 1850 was elected a delegate to the General Conference held in St. Louis. While in attendance at this Conference Dr. Deems was elected to the Presidency of Greens- boro, North Carolina, Female College, and also to the Presidency of Centenary College, at Jackson, Louisiana. Having to choose between these two positions, he selected the former, where he served until 1854. During the time that he had charge of this institution Dr. Deems exhibited remarkable ca- pacity for administration, and placed the college on a permanent basis of prosperity, thus conferring a very important service upon the Conference and the Church. In 1854 he again entered the ministry, and devoted himself to its regular work until 1858. He was at first in charge of a church at Goldsboro, and afterwards of the Front Street Church, Wil- mington, North Carolina, remaining two years in each place. He was re-elected to the General Con- ference, and at the same time received appoint- ments, either as President or Professor, at about eight different collegiate institutions. At the close of his term of service in Wilmington he was ap- pointed Presiding Elder of the Wilmington District. Being then elected to the Professorship of History in the North Carolina University, he declined the of- fice, and while fulfilling the duties of Presiding Elder, he made a visit to Europe. It will readily be seen that Dr. Deems, in all the positions which he had filled, must have exhibited rare qualities and a remarkable administrative capacity, since it is most unusual for any man in so brief a period and at so early an age to have offered to him so many and such various important appointments. An illustration of this is exhibited in the fact that the citizens of Wilson County, North Carolina, tendered to Dr. Deems as a gift, a fine college building, making the condition only that he would establish there a male and female school. This he organized successfully while still continuing in the position of Presiding Elder. Dr. Deems had already discovered in him- self, and displayed in various directions, much lit- erary talent ; and in December, 1805, he removed to the city of New Y'ork, where he soon after estab- lished a religious and literary weekly paper called The Watchman, which, however, he continued to direct only for a few months. In July, 1866, he be- gan to preach in the chapel of the New York Uni- versity, in University Place, and his manner of preaching soon became so popidar that a new church organization was formed, known as the "Church of the Strangers" — the title accurately signifying its purpose, which is more particularly to supply a place for religious worship for the ben- efit of the great number of persons temporarily vis- iting or residing in the city, and not caring to con- nect themselves permanently with any of the exist- ing churches. Dr. Deems has filled the pulpit of the Church of the Strangers ever since ; and it may be generalhy described as probably the most liberal church organization in the country, where the gos- pel is preached without special reference to any of the creeds of the sects, with which the church has no ecclesiastical connection whatsoever ; indeed, persons of all denominations have always found a welcome among its congregation, where they could enjoy religious worship and exercises of a purely unsectarian character. New York, with its peculiar social arrangement and cosmopolitan nature, is per- haps the only city in the country where a church framed on precisely this design could exist with any degree of success. It is a free church, being sustained entirely by voluntary contributions from wealthy Christian merchants and others residing in the metropolis, and from those who casually attend its services. Having made the acquaintance of Commodore Vanderbilt, the latter soon became — as he continued through life — a staunch friend of Dr. Deems, always relying upon him for advice and counsel in many directions, and always most geu- erous in aiding the Doctor to forward his religious projects, and chiefly that of the Church of the Strangers. In order to firmly establish the latt&r CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. on a secure foundation, Commodore Vanderbilt bought for $50,000 the Mercer Street Presbyterian Church, settling the property on Dr. Deems for the term of his natural life. This edifice, a large and commodious building, in a most convenient loca- tion for its purpose, was put in thorough repair and dedicated in October, 1870. At the exercises of its dedication a very large number of the leading per- sonages of the city were assembled, exhibiting by their presence the high esteem in which the work of Dr. Deems was held. Meanwhile, new appoint- ments poured in upon him, one of these being the Presidency of a college in California, and another, a similar position in a college in Georgia. These places were declined, however, Dr. Deems being unwilling to retire from the field which he had created for himself and which he had so success- fully worked in New York City. He was, however, during some time, President of Rutgers Female Col- lege in that city, and, since 1881, President of the American Institute of Christian Philosophy. Dr. Deems received his degree of D.D. from the Ran- dolph-Macon College, in 1852, in his thirty-second year, ami was declared at the time by the news- papers "the youngest D.D. in North America." He received his degree of LL.D. from the Univer- sity of North Carolina. As a literary worker, Dr. Deems has been at once prolific and original. For some time he edited Frank Leslie'* Sunday Maga- tiru ■. also five volumes of the Southern Methodist Pulpit; and in 1887 a monthly magazine called Christina Thought. Besides having published nu- merous volumes of sermons, and many addresses, and being well known as a frequent and favorite contributor to periodical literature, Dr. Deems is the author of a large number of works, including among others, the following: "Triumph of Peace and Other Poems," (New York, 1840); "Life of Rev. Dr. Clarke " (1840) ; " Devotional Melodies " (1842); " Twelve College Sermons" (1844); "The Home Altar" (1850); "What Now?" (1853); "Weights and Wings" (1874); "A Scotch Ver- dict in Re-evolution " (1886) ; and " The Light of the Nations." In this latter volume, which is, in fact, in the nature of a biography of Christ, the au- thor does not attempt to work on the usual lines of biographers of the Saviour. Leaving, for the better carrying out of his purpose, the divine side of Christ, he makes use of the records of the Evange- lists, who write about the man Jesus, the son of Mary, precisely as if they were narratives written by classical authors, his object being to represent the consciousness of Jesus without reference to theological conclusions. In the early part of 1890 the Methodist Book Concern published the latest volume from the pen of Dr. Deems— a general om- nium gatherum— entitled " Chips and Chunks." Dr. Deems is a consistent opponent of the theory of evolution, and has written with considerable force in opposition to this doctrine. Among his public addresses which have carried special weight and been rewarded by remarkable popularity, one was a speech delivered by him at Petersburg, Virginia, in 1855, during the trial of Dr. Smith, and which was pronounced by good judges to be a masterpiece of forensic eloquence; and with regard to his ad- dress on "The True Basis of Manhood," which was first delivered by invitation before the literary so- cieties of Hampden Sidney College, Virginia, and has since been repeated on a number of occasions. Dr. Deems has received the highest praise for its exhibition of his remarkable capacity, both as a pro- found thinker and as a fluent and expressive writer. Dr. Deems may with reason be considered one of the most remarkable men known in the religious history of the American republic. He began his public career at a very much earlier age than is the case with most clergymen, orators or writers, and from his very beginning appears to have established himself in the minds and hearts of those who be- came acquainted witli his character and ability, and to have sustained ever since the exalted im- pression thus formed. A man of most lovable na- ture, undeformed by the conventionalism which so often confines members of his profession, he pos- sesses the rare human quality of entering at once into the affections of those who know him. The type is unusual among men of any profundity of in- spiration, or who are remarkable for their reflective powers; and these characteristics belong quite as much to Dr. Deehis as does his bon hommie. He has remarkable conversational powers, great natural ability for the acquirement of learning, and is in- deed, very broadly informed in ancient and modern literature. While he is below the medium height, this does not detract in the least from the manly dignity of his personal appearance. He is erect, ac- tive in his movements and of remarkably quick per- ception. His temperament is nervous and some- what impulsive, but under thorough control and guidance. His manner is at all times characterized by a most pleasing affability, rendering him an agreeable companion, as he is a thoughtful and in- structive teacher. His intellectual capacity is of a very high order. A profound reasoner, and capable of rapid and exact generalization on any subject upon which he converses, he is certain to present it. with both spirit and acumen. Although rapid in forming his conclusions, and enthusiastic and earn- est in carrying forward whatever plan he has 2 IO CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. formed, he has met with marked success in his un- dertakings. His field of effort has been very broad and very important, and his duties have been ar- duously and faithfully performed. In his religious work his sole object has been — regardless of sect or dogma — to accomplish the religious and as far as possible the intellectual advancement of his fellow- men. While certainly assisted to a somewhat un- usual extent in the way of freedom of effort, bis own time, talents and plans have none the less been given up to the public interest with unusual liber- ality : indeed, his perfect unselfishness is perhaps one of the most prominent features of a well- rounded and beautiful character. As an orator and as a writer, Dr. Deems has always been popular among the masses, while no less appealing to the more intelligent and more thoughtful of those whom he has had occasion to address. He has the advantage of being practical and logical, while at the same time exhibiting a curiously original charm of fancy which is. indeed, peculiar to himself. His thoughts, which are always novel and instructive, are flavored by being presented in the most attrac- tive and agreeable form of language. In argument he is impassioned and impressive : and in both what he writes and what he says he exhibits also that earnestness which shows in every line his fidelity to his own convictions. Dr. Deems has made his mark in the South, where he enjoys a continuous popularity, being there considered one of the fore- most theologians and most popular men in the Methodist Church ; indeed, this fact is seen at once from the number and importance of the appoint- ments which have been offered to him from that part of the country. In New York he is not less es- teemed, and is always a welcome visitor in any so- cial gathering which he chooses to attend. The Church of the Strangers, under his administration, has become an institution aui generix. For years it has been attended by large and constantly varying congregations both of strangers and of citizens. The eloquence and originality of the preacher, the complete liberality of his doctrines, and his social and public standing as a man, have made Dr. Deems worthy of all the encomiums which have been so often and so warmly passed upon him. HEWITT, HON. ABRAM STEVENS, statesman, ex-member of Congress, and ex-Mayor of the city of New^ York, was born in Haverstraw, New York, July 31, 1822. On his mother's side Mr. Hewitt came of old Huguenot stock, the family name being Gamier, locally corrupted into Gurnee. Francois Gamier was the head of that portion of the family which came to this country, with Peter Jay. The family settled in Rockland County, New York, the original land occupied by them having been held since for five generations. It was in a log house on this Gamier tract, a portion of which is still in his possession, that Mr. Hewitt was born, and it is still standing, near Pomona station, not far from Haverstraw. Mr. Hewitt's father came to this country in 1790, and assisted in putting up the first steam engine works in this country ; audit is a curious coincidence that he also helped in the con- struction of the first steam engine ever built in this country, considering that his son has had a life-long connection with the family of Peter Cooper, who built the first locomotive engine — the "Tom Thumb" — ever constructed in the United States. Mr. Hewitt's father afterwards engaged in business in New York, where he was a cabinet maker and dealt also in cabinet lumbers, and was a prominent member of the old Mechanics and Tradesmens' Society. He was only eighteen years of age when he came to this country and did not marry until some time later, and the subject of this sketch was not born until thirty-two years after the arrival of his father in this country. In the beginning of his American en- terprise Mr. Hewitt, senior, was very successful iu business. He made quite a large fortune, but his place of business was burned out and he lost all his property, and at the time of his son's birth was a I ruined man, having had no insurance. He never re- paired his heavy loss, although he re-established himself in business. Abram S. Hewitt was brought up partly on his father's farm and partly in the city of New York. During the summer he lived on the farm and although he was not trained to be a far- mer, yet he learned everything about the work. In New York he attended the public schools, and at the close of this portion of his education he was at the head of his class. At this time a special ex- amination of all the scholars in the public schools was made in order to decide upon the giving of a prize scholarship in Columbia College. As a result of this examination Abram Hewitt succeeded in ob- taining the prize and was thus enabled to go through college. Of course, as he had no personal means, he was obliged to earn his own living while prose- cuting his college career, and this he did by private teaching. At this time the grammar school of Col- umbia College was presided over by Dr. Anthon. It was not properly a part of the chartered institu- tion and for this reason Mr. Hewitt, as soon as he had accumulated any money after his graduation, insisted upon paying the tuition fees of the institu- tion, although Dr. Anthon was very unwilling toac- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 I I cept the money. Unfortunatelj' for his health, Mr. Hewitt overtaxed himself during his college days', being obliged to work both night and day in giving proper attention to his profession as a teacher, and in keeping up with his classes. He was very ambi- tious, and from the beginning had determined that he should stand first, if it were possible for him to reach that position. In this he succeeded, graduat- ing at the head of his class, but with the result of seriously impairing his health and so injuring his eyesight that for a long time he was unable to bear artificial or strong light, and his sight has never been perfect since. After giving himself a period of rest, and somewhat restoring his eyes to their normal condition, he began the study of law, at the same time retaining his position as tutor at the college. During 1843 he was acting Professor of Mathematics at that institution. It illustrates the business ten- dency and natural economy of Mr. Hewitt that, while acting as professor he had succeeded in sav- ing up about a thousand dollars. This money he determined to employ in making a visit to Europe, and he did this in 1844. Edward Cooper, his present brother-in-law, and a son of the well-known and justly celebrated Peter Cooper, founder of the Cooper Union, was a member of the same class as Mr. Hewitt in college. He now accompanied him in his visit to Europe, the two having been very in- timate friends during their college days, and the de. sire existing with both of them that they should continue the association during this period of for- eign travel. Returning from Europe, they took a Mobile packet, the "Alabamian," which was coming home from the Mediterranean. This vessel was overtaken by a tremendous gale during the voyage, sprang a leak and was rapidly sinking. They were the only passengers on board, and when it was de- termined to abandon the ship, these, with the crew, were successfully gotten off in two boats, one of which contained six persons, and the other, in which were Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Cooper, containing tweive. This latter boat was so weak and unsea- worthy, and moreover so heavily laden, that it was feared she would go to pieces. The captain, who was on board, was certain that she would not stand the strain of rowing, and so, after disembarking from the sinking ship, they drifted. The period was during the stormy month of December, in 1844; the cold was intense, and the wrecked passengers suffered terribly. Mr. Hewitt has often remarked since, that he has never had warm feet from the day of that wreck. The smaller boat was rowed by the mate and some sailors, in the direction of land, which was at too great a distance for them to hope to reach it ; but that course was taken in the belief that some passing vessel, which would relieve them, would be more likely to be met in that than in any other direction. As it happened, this proved true, and the boat came early in the day upon a sailiug ves- sel which had been partially disabled by the storm and was lying to. They were taken on board and on informing the captain with regard to the other boat he at once cruised in the direction in which it was believed that she was drifting. He came very near not finding the boat at all, as there was no light on board and it was nearly dark before the vessel came within sight, and when they were too low down to be within the range of vision of the lookout on board. In fact those in the boat saw the vessel two or three hours before they were discov- ered by her. The agony of this suspense was of course very great, as darkness came on before they were found and they were discovered only then by their keeping up, after dark, incessant shoutiug, one relieving the other. Altogether they were in this open boat, drifting for twelve hours, before they were picked up. In 1845 Mr. Hewitt was admitted to the bar, and this occurred under peculiar circum- stances. There were fifty-seven applicants for ad- mission, one of whom was colored, and the standard of the examination was raised, designedly, with the intention of making it so high as to bar out the colored applicant. The consequence was that, out of the fifty-seven applicants, only twenty-three passed, among whom was Abram S. Hewitt. Soon after he was admitted to the bar Mr. Hewitt found that his eyesight was not strong enough to enable him to de- vote himself to the law business. His condition in this regard has been always very peculiar. While he can see near at hand as distinctly as anybody, and can read a newspaper or book without glasses, at a distance of a few feet it is difficult for him to distinguish faces. So far as mere reading or writing goes, his eyesight has been better than that of most people. Probably also his determination to give up the law business was caused somewhat by his inti- mate relations with his friend Edward Cooper and with the father of the latter. The two young men determined to go into a business partnership, and Mr. Peter Cooper gave over to them the iron branch of his own business, which at that time was not in a very prosperous condition. The success and prog- ress of this business in the hands of Messrs. Cooper and Hewitt have been remarkable. For over forty years the firm has continued and has been a pioneer in the establishing of successful iron manufactories in the United States. It was the first firm to manu- facture iron girders and supports used in fire-proof buildings and in bridges, and at its works were made the iron girders employed in the construction 2 I 2 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. of the Cooper Union building. During all these years it has employed thousands of men and has to- day upward of three thousand men on its pay-rolls. The firm has prospered in the face of all the ups and downs of the iron trade and also in the face of inci- dents with regard to its own business career which would have caused almost any industry of the kind to suspend long ago. As a matter (if fact from 1873 to 1879 the business of the firm was conducted at a loss of a hundred thousand dollars a year. Mr. Hewitt made this statement himself on the occasion of one of the meetings of the Congressional Commit- tee on the Grievances of Labor, which was held in August, 1878, and of which he was Chairman. It is a curious instance in regard to the prosecution of a great industry to have it established that the regular product of the plant was only sufficient during forty years to pay the men and the regular expenses of the industry, and this also when the business never paid extraordinary sums in the way of wages, but simply current market rates; and yet all of this is a fact with regard to the firm of Cooper >fc Hewitt, and in- deed to a very large extent in relation to other firms engaged in the same business all over the country. The solution of the problem, how, under such condi- tions, .could a firm thus engaged in business become rich, is simply that the fortune acquired was made by the judicious use of their capital outside of their business, by a study of the iron market which was wise and conservative, and by anticipating the future through prudent investments. Thus, in 1870 and 1880 there was a great rise in the value of iron. Cooper & Hewitt had anticipated this rise for some time, and, having command of abundant capi- tal, had laid in a heavy stock, and the increase in value of this stock alone cleared them one million of dollars. During all the forty years of this firm's existence, it has never had any serious trouble with its workmen. The latter have never had to wait a day for their pay, being always paid cash. The works have never been shut down. They have been worked on half time when business was so slack as to make it foolish and useless to work on full time, but they have never closed. The result of this has been that there has never been any strike among the employees of Cooper & Hewitt. The reason for this exists in the policy which has always been adopted and consistently held to by the linn. The workmen have always been taken into the confidence of their employers. The latter have talked with them freely, and when any differences have arisen between them they have settled them as best they could after a friendly business consulta- tion. The fact that the workingmen knew that for years the business, employing several thousand hands, was being run at a loss to the employers without their suffering, naturally made them the more willing to enter into consultation and to recog- nize the condition of things. But if at times the employees have believed that they ought to receive larger pay than they were receiving, and this oc- curred at a time when the market did not justify an increase of wages, their delegates were invited into the business office and given the books to examine with the simple declaration, "You must decide for yourselves whether the condition of the business will warrant your being paid any more." The firm of Cooper & Hewitt has also always been on the best of terms with the trade unions and special labor or- ganizations and, in fact, has encouraged them. It has been Mr. Hewitt's belief that the workmen can- not possibly get too many rights, whether they com- bine to obtain them or seek them by means of in- dividual effort. He also has often expressed the belief that all their troubles are occasioned by im- providence and a lack of the proper care which their own interests demand. He has the belief that a suitable education and proper training will eventu- ally reined}' this, and he believes that special labor organizations are in the direction of such education and training. He thinks that these organizations make the workingmen stronger and wiser, and that they should therefore be encouraged. The firm of Cooper & Hewitt now own and control the Trenton, Kingwood, Pequest and Durham iron works in New Jersey. The development and management of these vast enterprises have been principally the result of Mr. Hewitt's efforts. In 1802 he went to England to learn the process of making gun-barrel iron, and, at a heavy loss to his firm, furnished the United States Government with material for this use during the Civil War. The introduction of the Martins- Siemens or open-hearth process for the manufacture of steel in this country is also due to his judgment. While thus always deeply interested in his iron business, Mr. Hewitt found time and inclination to advise and assist Mr. Peter Cooper in his generous benefaction to the city of New York, known as the Cooper Union. The plan of this institution was de- vised bj' its own trustees, with Mr. Hewitt as their active head. The Cooper Union was begun, so far as its construction is concerned, in 1853, -and at the end of five years the building was completed as it now stands and as it is known to tens of thousands of people throughout the country, the better part of whose education has been obtained within its walls. As Secretary of the Board of Trustees Mr. Hewitt has directed its financial and educa- tional details, involving an amount of labor ex- ceeding the duties of some college Presidents. - CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 213 Iu I800 Mr. Hewitt married the daughter of Peter Cooper, aud the sister of his business partner, Mr. Edward Cooper. The public career of Abram S. Hewitt has been and is, perhaps, better known throughout the country than that of almost an- other man in politics now living. It began, how- ever, iu a mission not iu the least connected with politics, but rather resulting from his recognized knowledge and ability with regard to the iron and steel business, and probably as a result of the val- uable service he had rendered in this connection to the United States Government during the latter period of the war. In 1867 he was appointed one of ten United States Commissioners to visit the Paris Exposition held in that year. He had particular charge of the subjects of iron and steel, and his report to the United States Government, made at that time, on the progress of the art of handling these metals, as exemplified in the illustrative exhibits in the Exposition, was translated into nearly all the leading languages of Europe. Mr. Hewitt has been a consistent Democrat throughout his political life, although he has not always agreed with or indeed affiliated with the same factional organization. Beginning as a member of the Tammany Associa- tion, he became dissatisfied with its management and joined the County Democracy, on the organiza- tion of that party in 1870. In the meantime he had been elected to Congress in 1874, and with the ex- ception of one term he continued to serve there until 1886. In Congress he has always shown the same energy and the same tendency to practical ideas and common sense views, without special re- gard to political intricacies, which he has exhibited in the conduct of his business and other public relations. Always very much of a political econo- mist in his tendency of thought and general pro- clivity, he has been a frequent speaker on subjects connected with finance, labor and the development of National resources. A man whose honesty of political purpose has been remarkable in an era when such an element has not been significant of politics, Mr. Hewitt has been an advocate of honest financial legislation without regard to party service. He has sustained by vote and voice a moderate and discriminating tariff reform, and indeed, while not absolutely conservative, he has never been radical in any of his views, political or otherwise. With a natural bent towards utilitarianism, as shown in his often suggested interest in practical education, and particularly in his relation to the Cooper Union, Mr. Hewitt has always done good work in aiding the advancement of those movements which tended towards National progress in a material direction ; yet he has ahvays shown a strong bias towards education of a higher order. It was this, doubtless, which made him work so earnestly and vigorously in the direction of the United States Geological Survey, which owes its existence principally to an address delivered in its favor by Mr. Hewitt. In his Congressional career Mr. Hewitt was often ac- cused of irascibility, on account of the earnestness of his oratory, which again resulted from the earn- estness of his convictions regarding the subject matter in debate. But there has also been a certain tendency iu the direction of irritation in Mr. Hewitt, dependent on the physical fact that he inherited a very nervous temperament, encouraged in his youth by his constantly protracted and too laborious studies, aud with which, doubtless, his defective eyesight has had much to do. As a matter of fact, where Mr. Hewitt is confronted by a condition which he deems the reverse of right or antagonistic to the true welfare of the municipality or of the State, he is outspoken and forcible to a degree in his denunciation and opposition in connection with such conditions. There never has been, however, the slightest reason to suppose that any personal malice or any political ambition has guided or biased him in the slightest degree in his conduct either in debate or in active political work. Mr. I Hewitt has been consistently one of the most hou- I est and faithful, as he has been one of the most earnest and energetic, of the statesmen and politi- cians of the country. In 1878 Mr. Hewitt was the leader of the twenty-seven Democrats in Congress who voted against the attempt to repeal the specie resumption act. He has always been opposed to the present coinage of the silver dollar, aud his speech on that subject at the time of that legislation was prophetic of the results which afterwards fol- lowed. Iu 1876 Mr. Hewitt was Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, accepting the po- sition at the special request of Mr. Tilden, who had J been his intimate friend for a number of years. On Mr. Hewitt, it is said, lies the responsibility for the organization of the so-called "literary bureau," which was employed during the notable campaign of Tilden and Hayes. The firm of Cooper & Hewitt advanced towards the campaign expenses that year $160,000 in money, before any collections were made to re-imburse them. This was the case, although it was the general belief that Mr. Tilden contributed liberally to his own canvass from what was known as the "Tilden barrel." As a matter of fact Mr. Tilden contributed nothing from his personal resources to the general campaign, beyond paying for the preparation and printing of the doc- uments of the so-called literary bureau. After the election, when the Democrats were fully convinced 214 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. that they had carried the country, the proclamation which was issued, asserting the assurance of this victory, was written by Mr. Hewitt, and the original manuscript of it is now in his hands with marginal notes of correction in the hand-writing of Mr. Til- den. Mr. Hewitt, in fact, encouraged the boldest action in regard to the situation during that crisis. Mr. Tilden, however, was opposed to any such action and the result was that, of the three methods of settlement which were placed before him — to fight, back down or arbitrate — he chose the latter. The Democratic candidate for the Presidency having made this decision, Mr. Hewitt, as his instrument in Congress and in the party, had nothing to do but to carry out his wishes, which he did with the result of the organization of the Electoral Commis- sion and the seating of Rutherford B. Hayes in the Presidential chair. In October, 1886, when the labor organizations determined to get possession of the government of the city of New York, a union part}- was formed by which Abram S. Hewitt was nominated for Mayor for the election in November. Henry George, who at that time was in the height of his popularity, had been nominated by the Labor party as their candidate for Maj or. The Republi- cans, less wise and less successful in their selection, nominated Theodore Roosevelt, confessedly a weak name to go before the public of New York under any circumstances, and particularly in the case of the candidacy of two men having so many and such strong friends in both parties as Mr. Hewitt and Mr. George. The result, so far as the Labor candi- dature was concerned, was astounding, even to the Labor party itself, while to the Republicans it was absolutely overwhelming. Theodore Roosevelt re- ceived only 60,435 votes. The vote for Henry George mounted up to the surprising figure of 68,110. But that for Abram S. Hewitt reached 90,552 and he was elected Mayor of the city of New York. Twelve thousand more votes taken from the Union candidate would have made Henry George, Mayor, and would very probably have en- tirely disintegrated and reorganized the whole political system of the United States. As Mayor, Mr. Hewitt showed the same vigor and energy which had characterized him in all his different walks in life. He was a thorough-going reformer, and sharply supervised the acts of the heads of de- partments, never hesitating to call them to account on the slightest evidence of impropriety or inatten- tion to duty. In some directions he succeeded in cultivating or in awakening unpopularity. Partic- ularly was this the case with regard to the Irish citizens, in consequence of his refusing to raise the Irish flag over the City Hall on St. Patrick's day. This was clone by Mr. Hewitt in consistent agreement with his idea of an Americanisn which should not permit the flag of any other people, even of one possessing an autonomy of its own, to be raised, except as a matter of special compliment, upon any Municipal or National buildings in the country ; that under this ruling the flag of a nation, which has no political existence, is distinctly within the category goes without saying. By this act Mr. Hewitt made doubtless many political and personal enemies, and also in his stern and inflexible honesty of purpose, and the determination with which he insisted upon the carrying out by officials of the statutes and municipal laws controlling their de- partments. But he retained the respect of the community in general, the members of which felt that they could sleep at night without the sense of insecurity occasioned by doubt whether the munici- pal heads were not hatching some plot to plunder the city. Before the close of his Mayoralty term, Mr. Hewitt received the nomination for the election in November, 1888, for a second term, at the hands of a Union Citizen's Committee. He ran against Joel Erhardt, the Republican candidate, and Hugh J. Grant, Tammany Democrat, and was defeated, the vote being,— Hewitt, 71,979, Erhardt, 73,037, and Grant, 114,111. Shortly after the election, Mr. Hewitt made a trip to Europe, where he was received with cordiality and respect by public men everywhere. He made a profound impression on the Sultan of Turkey, who. long afterwards, when the American Minister, Hon. S. S. Cox, was leaving Constantinople, sent by him his compliments and regards to Mr. Hewitt. Mr. Hewitt is a man of great intellectual quickness, and indeed his ready grasp of a subject and his ability to see things so clearlj', prevent him from comprehending the lack of a similar quickness in others, and this is some- times the cause of his impatience in argument. His physical condition, so far as his great capacity and endurance are concerned, is in the main good; but he suffers greatly from physical pain, and is troubled with insomnia. And yet, curiously enough, he is always at his best in physical health when he has the gravest responsibilities thrust upon him. Inaction frets him, and it would seem to be impossible for him to give up work. He thrives best in the midst of excitements and responsibilities which would embarass ordinary men. With regard to the conduct of business affairs and in relation to the important and complicated labor question, very few men are so thoroughly informed as Mr. Hewitt. He has practically solved the labor problem so far as theory is concerned, and, although it has been impossible for him to carry out, or to induce friends. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 215 to carry out, many of the views in which he believes and which lie thinks would tend to a great amelior- ation of the condition of workingmen, so far as his own business is concerned he has never failed to experiment at least in these directions, and when successful, to make his experiments permanent con- ditions. Since the close of the term of his Mayor- alty, Mr. Hewitt has remained practically out of politics. While a strong adherent to the cause of Mr. Cleveland during the election of 1884, after that election something of the nature of a disagreement arose between them, and it is a fact that from the day of President Cleveland's inauguration, Mr. Hewitt never entered the White House during his term of office. He is still, however, as heretofore a consistent and earnest Democrat, and whenever the occasion shall arise to render his active service essential to his party, there can be no doubt that he will be as ready as heretofore, to labor in its behalf. • BARGEK, SAMUEL P., a leading citizen and lawyer of New York City, actively identified for many years with prominent railroad inter- ests in America, and since 1867 a Director in most of the Vanderbilt railroads, was born in New York City, October 19, 1832. His ancestors, who were of Dutch origin, were among the early settlers of Staten Island, where his parents and grandparents were born. He began his education under the well- known Professor Charles Anthon, at the famous Columbia College Grammar School, then occupying the old school building in Murray Street, and fin- ished it at the University of the City of New York, of which the Hon. Theo. Frelinghuysen was then Chancellor. Upon leaving college he chose the pro- fession of law for a life vocation, and going to Pater- son, New Jersey, near where his father then resided — his mother having died several years previously — he entered the office of Aaron S. Pennington, Esq., one of the principal lawyers of the place, under whom he finished his preparation for admission to the bar. In 1854 he was admitted to practice in New Jersey, and in the following year was accorded the same privilege at the bar of New York. Choos- ing the metropolis as the scene of his labors, he set- tled there and applied himself with diligence to professional work, for which he was well equipped both by natural intellectual ability and a training more than ordinarily thorough. It took several years of patient and self-denying labor to make an impression, but after this had been accomplished his rise was rapid and he soon held an enviable place in public esteem both as a lawyer and a culti- vated gentleman. Mr. Barger's connection with railroads dates back to 1867, when he became asso- ciated with the late Commodore Vanderbilt as a Director in the New York Central Railroad Com- pany. In 1869, when this corporation was merged with the Hudson River Railroad Company, forming the New Y r ork Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, with Commodore Vanderbilt as Presi- dent, Mr. Barger took his seat in the Board of Directors of the consolidated company, with which the well-known Mr. Chauncey M. Depew, previously' attorney for the Harlem road, became connected in a similar capacity, afterwards being chosen to a seat in the directory and in later years to the Presi- dency of the road. The friendship here begun be- tween these two young lawyers, thus closely thrown together, became more than ordinarily cordial and has continued unbroken down to the present day. From the beginning of his directorship Mr. Barger's abilities were perceived by his associates to be of a high order, attestation of which is found in his selection by thein as a member of the leading com- mittees, notably the executive and financial, upon which he has served continuously since then with distinction. In his capacity as a director he united the qualities of the business-man, the financier and the lawyer, with the result of great benefit to the important interests confided to his care. Mr. Bar- ger's colleagues in the Board of Directors of the "Central" in those early days were Commodore Vanderbilt, Wm. H. Vanderbilt, Augustus Schell, Horace F. Clarke, Daniel Torrance, C. W. Chapiu, James H. Banker, H. H. Baxter, William A. Kis- sam and George J. Whitney, of whom he alone sur- vives. At the famous meeting held in Albany, November 1, 1869, at which the consolidation pre- viously referred to took place, he presided over the deliberations. Although more closely identified with the New York Central than with any other corporation, his efforts and investments are not limited to it. For a number of years he has aided by counsel as well as capital in building up the western extensions or connections of this great road, and during the time has served as a Director in the Harlem Railroad, the West Shore, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Michigan Central, the Chicago and Northwestern, and the Canada South- ern and its leased lines. In these several Boards of Directors as well as in the " Central," he has invaria- bly had a place on both the executive and finance committees. Among the other important positions he has held was that of Director (and a member of the executive committee) of the Western Union Telegraph Company and all its leased lines. This position he held from the time of the death of Com- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. modore Vanderbilt, in 1877, down to the accession of Mr. Jay Gould, in 1881, when the American Tele- graph Company was absorbed by the larger and more powerful corporation, when he resigned. He has also been a Trustee of the Wagner Palace Car Company since its organization. He holds director- ships likewise in the Canada Southern Bridge Com- pany, and the Albany Bridge Company, and is a trustee in the Union Trust Company. In all these varied interests he has been active and energetic and his experience, good judgment and conserva- tism have been relied upon by his associates in all crises and on all matters of importance. One of the ablest of his colleagues speaking of his great abili- ties, said : " He has what seems to be almost an in- tuitive knowledge of men and human nature and a remarkable faculty for judging abilities and motives in those with whom he comes in contact or has dealings. He has a conscientious regard for duty, and perforins the various tasks that fall to him with scrupulous fidelity and with a watchful regard for the interests he represents." The business demands made upon his time for many years almost com- pletely occupied it, but by confining his labors principally to one field he escaped the confusion and embarrassments which often attend the efforts of those' who divide their attentiou, time and energy between two goals to the great danger of attaining neither. Although wisely conservative in matters involving the expenditure of large sums of money with possibilities of heavy loss or failure, he is one of the most progressive business men of the day, quick to perceive opportunities and as ready to em- brace them after his judgment endorses them. A minor illustration of his conservatism is shown by the fact that for upwards of thirty years he has oc- cupied the same suite of offices in Trinity Building on lower Broadway. A life-long Democrat and the persistent and consistent supporter of the principles of that party, both with his influence and means, and a native and resident of a city in which, if any- where, such a course is appreciated at its full value, Mr. Barger, with political honors easy of attainment, has seen fit to decline every overture made to him in the direction of a public career, preferring to give his whole energies and attention to business and professional work. Nevertheless he has on oc- casion attended important party conventions, and at times has conferred with the chiefs of the Democ- racy in regard to great public measures. In 1860 he accepted a position on the Commission, appointed by the State Legislature to appraise the damage done by the rioters who destroyed the Quarantine Station at Staten Island ; and in 1870, he served as a Presidential Elector in the State of New York on j the Democratic ticket. That there has been no selfishness in his refusal to enter public life is proven by his willingness to do service in useful positions where, though little persoual honor and no personal profit are to be found, the advantage to the public is of high value. Thus, while avoiding political office, he has rendered valuable service to the municipality as a member of the School Board and also in other directions. Mr. Barger is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in affiliation with Holland Lodge, one ! of the oldest in the country. For many years he has interested himself in general Masonic charitable work, without in any way making himself promi- nent. He is a Presbyterian in religious belief, and an attendant and pew-holder at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, and a personal friend and j warm admirer of its widely known and esteemed minister, the Rev. Dr. John Hall. In the social life of New York Mr. Barger has always held a prominent place. He has been a member of the Union Club ! for nearly thirty years, and served for a long time as a member of its Governing Committee. He was one of the founders of the Manhattan Club and also of the Casino and Reading-room at Newport, — where he spends the summer season when not on a pleasure trip in Europe or elsewhere— and islikewise a member of other local clubs and social organiza- tions, and of the Somerset Club of Boston. Highly educated, traveled, well-read, and thoroughly con- versant with the affairs of the world, Mr. Barger is at all times a delightful companion. He is strong in his attachments and firm in his friendships : high-minded, honorable and scrupulously just. He i is a man of pleasing personality, unassuming and cordial in his demeanor, and utterly unaffected. Those best acquainted witli him refer to him as irre- proachable either as a friend, business-man or citi- zen. His home in the city of New York, delight- fully situated on Madison Avenue, is one of the most capacious and striking on that fashionable thoroughfare, and contains many precious and costly souvenirs of foreign travel and of interviews with some of the most distinguished people of the world. COOKE, MARTIN WARREN, a distinguished law- yer of Rochester, twice President of the New York State Bar Association, and in the fall of 1889 the candidate of the Republican party for the office of Comptroller of the State of New York, was born at Whitehall, Washington County, New Y'ork, March 2, 1840. His father, the late William W. Cooke, of Whitehall, was an importer, maim- w CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2i; faeturer and dealer in lumber, and carried on an ex- tensive trade with Canada ; he died in 1884. His mother, whose maiden name was Hearty Clarke, was a native of the State of Vermont. Martin W. Cooke began his education in the common schools of his native place, finishing the local course at Whitehall Academy. He next took the college pre- paratory course at the excellent grammar school in Rochester, then in charge of Professor N. W. Bene- dict, and when but a little over fifteen years of age was admitted to the University of Rochester. There he was distinguished for his brilliant intel- lectual powers, his resolute application to study, and many graces of manner and conversation which made him a prime favorite alike with the teachers and the students. Among the former at this period were President Anderson, Dr. A. C. Kendrick, Dr. Chester Dewey, and others somewhat less promi- nent perhaps, but hardly inferior in ability in their respective departments. In 1860 Mr. Cooke, then just entering his twenty-first year, was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts cum laude, and although the youngest member of his class he had the honor of being chosen to deliver the concluding oration at the Commencement exercises. In 1863 he received the degree of Master of Arts from his Alma Mater, and in that same year was admitted to the Rochester bar, having pursued his study of the law under the late Hon. Henry R. Selden. Estab- lishing an office in Rochester, he plunged into pro- fessional work with all the courage and hopefulness of a young, healthy and aspiring mind. In 1865 he was admitted to partnership with the late Hon. Sanford E. Church, formerly Lieutenant-Governor of the State of New York. This association con- tinued until 1870, when it was dissolved owing to the election of Governor Church to the Chief Judge- ship of the Court of Appeals. Mr. Cooke's entire professional life has been spent in Rochester, New York, and he has been connected as counsel with many of the most important cases which have arisen in Monroe County. He has tried and argued cases in the State and United States Courts, and in the United States Supreme Court. In 1880 Mr. Cooke was appointed one of the examiners of applicants for admission to the bar, his associates on the Board being William C. Ruger, now Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, and George Wadsworth. Since that time he has been re-appointed annually by the General Term, and for several years has been Chair- man of the Board. In 1876, when the Bar Associa- tion of the State was organized, he took a promi- nent part in the proceedings and was chosen a member of the executive committee, which posi- tion he now holds. He was elected Treasurer of the Association in 1880, and held that office several years. In January, 1887, he was elected to the of- fice of President, and was re-elected in the follow- ing year. "Through his active labors and wise management of its affairs while he held this office, the Association received large accessions to its mem- bership, and its power and influence were greatly extended. It was due to his efforts that the As- sociation first secured the disbarment of an attorney for misconduct." Notwithstanding the heavy de- mands made upon his time by his arduous profes- sional labors and by the duties of the important po- sitions he has held, he has always evinced a sincere interest in the welfare of the city of Rochester, in whose behalf he has labored with rare judgment and zeal. Mr. Cooke is a member of the Baptist Church and for years has taken an active part in its religious and charitable work, and has held several responsible positions as a layman. Ever since his graduation at the University of Rochester he has been active in all matters bearing upon its interests. He is now the official Attorney of the University, having occupied the office since its creation, and for many years has been a member of the Board of Trustees, the second of the Alumni to whom that office has been accorded. He has been a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society from the dale of the establishment of a chapter at Rochester. A close student of art, literature and science, he has ac- quired a remarkable fund of knowledge upon these subjects, which he utilizes with the happiest effect in his public speeches and addresses. In 1888 he published a book entitled " The Human Mystery in Hamlet." It was issued from the press of Fords, Howard and Hulbert, and elicited many flattering notices from the leading literary papers and maga- zines. Mr. Cooke takes a keen delight in his pri- vate scientific researches, to which he devotes as much of his leisure as the numerous other claims upon his time permit. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Sci- ence. Mr. Cooke's political proclivities are such as to keep him a member of the Republican party, with which he has been identified since he polled his first vote. He has never been a seeker of office, but in 1887 his name was brought forward by the delegates to the State Convention as that of a most desirable candidate for the office of Attorney-Gen- eral of the State. In the fall of 1889 he received the unanimous nomination of the Republican Conven- tion for the office of State Comptroller. The nomi- nation was unsought by him, and was unthought of until a few minutes before the meeting of the Con- vention. It was a convincing proof of his wide- spread popularity, no less than a splendid testimo- 2l8 CONTEMTORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. nial to his character and worth as a citizen. He re- ceived 489, 154 votes against 500,344 cast for Mr. Wemple, the successful Democratic candidate — an excess of several thousand over the chief candidate on his ticket. We quote the following extract from an editorial written during the canvass in New York State, in 1889 : •• Mr. Cooke is happy in the graces as well as the virtues of manhood. He is not less a literary scholar than a lawyer. He has a frank, cheerful disposition and a polished manner, and his presence would add brightness to the society of the Capital and dignity to its official circle. Besides the guar- anty of his reputation he gives a hostage to the peo- ple in his ambition. He is a man whose aims are high — a man with an abiding love for old fashioned ideals in private, professional and official conduct. He takes little satisfaction save in the thought of honorably won distinction, and he would hardly be content with any success which could not meet the test of the best standards and win the approval of the best men." As a lawyer Mr. Cooke stands among the leaders in his section of the State. His engaging personal qualities give him a large following both social and political, and his high character was an efficient aid in drawing to his support at the polls many voters who were not of -his party, but who earnestly de- sired to see him elevated to the position for which he was a candidate. Physically, Mr. Cooke is a man of fine presence, and his frank and maul}- ad- dress well becomes his person. He is held in more than ordinary regard by the people on account of his honest and generous nature, the fidelity of his friendship and the purity of his character. Having a solid backing of half a million votes in his own party and capable of drawing largely from the op- position, it is more than probable that he has a po- litical future which will enable him at no distant day to bring his fine talents to the service of the State. He married, in 18G6, Miss Augusta W. Buell, daughter of Mortimer Buell, Esq., of Roches- ter. By this marriage there are two daughters. BEACH, HON. BLOOMFIELD J., a prominent lawyer and business man of Rome, was born at Annsville, Oneida County, New York, June 27, 1820. His progenitors on his father's side, men of English origin, were among the first settlers of Otsego County, whither they had removed from the neigh- borhood of Newark, New Jersey. His father, Dr. Samuel Beach, a distinguished physician, died in 1874 at the advanced age of eighty-four. His mother was Susan (Jervis) Beach, a native of Rome, her father, Timothy Jervis, having settled in Oneida County about the year 1800. After a diligent pur- suit of the course of study prescribed in the select schools of his native town, Mr. Beach entered Ham- ilton College in 1835, whence, at the end of two years, he passed to Princeton College, from which he graduated with the degree of A.B., receiving subsequently that of A.M. Immediately after leav- ing college he engaged in the service of the State of New Y"ork as sub-engineer in the work of the Erie Canal, and, continuing in this capacity till 1840, he then removed to Rome. Having resolved to fit himself for the practice of law, he entered the office of Calvin B. Gay, and when admitted to the bar, in 1843, he became the associate of that gentleman in professional practice. This association, extending over a period of several years, was followed by business connections with other men eminent in the walks of the profession. Elected by the Whigs, in 1847, to represent the Third Assembly District in the State Legislature, his labors during this period of service, as a member of the Committee on the Judiciary, and Chairman of the Committee on Grievances, evinced such ability, tact and discre- tion as justified his constituents in the selection of their representative. Endowed with excellent na- tive powers, broadened and deepened by culture and experience, Mr. Beach is essentially "a man of affairs." During his residence in Rome he has been one of the most active promotors of every scheme of industry, finance and beneficence. President of that village in 1853 and '54, he was subsequently a member of the Board of Water Commissioners. He is also interested in the manufacture of iron, for which this place is noted, being one of the Board of Directors of the Rome Iron Works. He is attorney for the Fort Stanwix National Bank, and is inter- ested in the management of the Rome Savings Bank, having served as Treasurer of that institution since its organization in 1851. His financial skill also finds exercise in his relations with the direction of two of the National Banks of Rome. Occupying the position of President of the Central New Y^ork Deaf Mute Asylum, and having fulfilled the duties of that relation since its organization, that institu- tion owes much of its usefulness and prosperity to his active benevolence and wise management of its affairs. Bringing to the practice of his profession a mind well stored and thoroughly disciplined by habits of thought and study, Mr. Beach soon de- veloped much legal sagacity. His power of using his large acquirements to the best advantage, com- bined with the faculty of seeing things clearly in their practical relations, and the knowing how to harmonize men and circumstances, have made his efforts, to whatever end directed, productive of the most excellent results. His reputation for legal CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 219 learning and acumen, his practical wisdom, his powers of organization, together with his liberality and soundness of financial policy - , enroll his name among the useful, cultivated and honored citizens of the Commonwealth. He was married, in 1863, to .Miss Fannie Whitemore, of Nashua, New Hamp- shire, who died in 1867. He was, in 1874, again married, to Miss C. E. Bacon, daughter of the late Daniel P. Bacon, of Sing Sing, New York. FURSMAN, HON. EDGAR LUYSTER, Justice of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial District, was born at Charlton, Saratoga County, New York, August. 5, 1838. The family from which he descends is one of considerable antiquity in Oxford- shire, England, whence in 1760, the founder of the American branch emigrated. This founder, whose name was William Fursman, settled in Westchester County, New York. He was an enthusiastic sup- porter of the rights of the Colonists against the en- croachment of British authority, and took up arms in their defense in the Revolution, giving his life for the country of his adoption, at the battle of White Plains. Like his father, John Fursman, (son of this patriot), was a farmer, holding his lands under the Van Rensselaer Patent. His son, Jesse B. Fursman, also a farmer, was the father of the subject of this sketch, and in early manhood resided in Saratoga. County. Two years after the birth of his son Edgar he removed to Easton, Washington County, and in the district schools of that place and at the Greenwich Academy the young lad laid the foundations of his education. He finished his studies in a year at the New York Conference Sem- inary, at Charlotteville, which was supplemented by a full course at the Fort Edward Institute, from which institution he was graduated with high rank in the class of 1855. The tastes he developed while at school inclined him to the study of the law, and after graduation, having decided to adopt that pro- fession, he entered the office of Judge A. Dallas Waite, at Fort Edward, and under the direction of that accomplished jurist prepared himself for prac- tice. After two years attentive study he passed the required examinations with high credit, and was ad- mitted to the bar. He began professional work at Schuylerville, Saratoga County, and in a few years acquired a very large and remunerative practice, and a reputation which extended far beyond the neighborhood in which he resided. He was fre- quently advised by Judge Augustus Bockes, of Sara- toga Springs, and William A. Beach, then of Troy, who had noted his talent and industry, to remove to the latter city and pursue his profession there. Upon mature deliberation lie decided to take this step, and in 1867 formed a partnership with the Hon. James Forsyth, one of the most distinguished members of the Rensselaer County bar, then Presi- dent of the Board of Trustees of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and afterwards County Judge. This relation was maintained until 1870, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr Furs- man became a member of the newly organized firm of Smith, Fursman & Cowen, who were successors to Beach & Smith. A close student and a diligent worker, Mr. Fursman found nothing more conge- nial than his professional labors, to which he de- voted himself with rare fidelity. His successes were numerous and brilliant, and in a very few- years his place at the Rensselaer County bar was admittedly in the very first rank. Acting solely from a conception of duty and a reluctance to dis- appoint the expectations of his fellow-citizens in the Democratic party, he served several terms as a dele- gate to the State conventions of that party. Thus brought into direct personal contact with its lead- ers, his qualities as a man and merits as a lawyer were perceived, and on many occasions he was re- quested to allow his name to be presented as that of a candidate for public office. All these offers he resolutely declined, sincerely preferring to remain in the field of strictly professional work. His inti- mate knowledge of corporate law brought him as clients a number of the leading industrial institu- tions of Troy, also several important banks and other wealthy corporations. He also became coun- sel for the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, the Troy & Boston Railroad Company, the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, and the Citizens Steamboat Company. In 1882 he yielded to the urgent solicitations of his friends and accepted the nomination for Judge of Rensselaer County. His great personal popularity, as well as the high esteem in which his legal acquirements were held, was amply attested by the fact that he was elected to the office named by the largest ma- jority ever given to any candidate for it. In 1888, at the expiration of his term, he was renominated, and again elected. In 1889, after serving only one year of his new term as County Judge, he received the unanimous nomination of his party for Justice of the Supreme Court. He was elected by the largest majority obtained in his district in many years. He entered upon his official duties on January 1, 1890. In evidence of Judge Fursmau's professional skill it may be said that during the past ten years he has been entrusted with a larger number of im- 2 20 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. portant cases than any lawyer in his county, and that he has been remarkably successful in bringing them to a favorable issue. One of his more recent and conspicuous triumphs was in the case of the People against Arthur J. McQuade, in which he was counsel for defendant. His client, an ex-Alderman of the city of New York, charged with accepting a bribe while in office from the officers of the Broad- way Railroad for his vote for the franchise given to that company, was regularly indicted, and in De- cember, 1886, was convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment and to pay a fine of #5,000. The case was carried to the higher courts, and in October, 1888, the verdict was reversed in the Court of Appeals, and the defendant, after serving twenty months of his time in Sing Sing, was released on bail awaiting a new trial. A change of venue was obtained to Saratoga County, where the trial was begun in July, 1889. It was at this trial that Judge Fursman conducted the defense. It was held in the old court house at Ballston. and it has been asserted that there never was a trial in northern New York which excited greater interest or in which the Court House there contained a more distinguished throug of visitors. The case was of the first impor- tance, as it was generally believed that upon the verdict then rendered hung the fate of all the so- called " boodle " cases. Judge Fursman summed up for the defense, and an added interest was given to this great legal battle from the fact that the pros- ecution was conducted by District Attorney Fel- lows, of New York, one of the most distinguished orators of the time, who, like Judge Fursman, was born on the old Burgoyne battle fields. That a ver- dict of acquittal was rendered was conceded on all hands to be due in a large measure to the adroit and able conduct of the interests of his client by Judge Fursman. His summing up for the defense was one of the most masterful efforts oT this genera- tion, and drew exceptional force from its powerful arraignment of the court in which the prisoner had been tried previously, and from the merciless man- ner in which the witnesses for the prosecution were held up to public scorn. Indignation and invec- tive, pathos and persuasion were skillfully blended in this great forensic effort, which will long be re- membered as one of the most eloquent delivered in the Ballston Court House since the days of the gifted and lamented William A. Beach. Judge Fursman married, in 1860, Miss Minerva Cramer, a niece of the Hon. John Cramer, (a prominent man of affairs in the last generation and who was an Elector on the Jefferson Presidential ticket) and a daughter of the late James P. Cramer, a leading merchant and iron manufacturer of Schuylerville. SQUIRE, HON. WATSON CARVOSSO, United States Senator from the State of Washington, is a scion of Puritan stock. His grandfather, Daniel Squire, was a devout man, and his father, the Rev. Orra Squire, who is still living, has spent more than half a century in discharging the duties of the Christian ministry. Orra Squire was born in On- tario County, New York, in 1807. At twenty-seven years of age he entered upon pastoral work as a member of the Oneida Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Three years later he married Erretta Wheeler, daughter of Ebenezer Wheeler, who served with distinction and attained the rank of Colonel in the War of 1812. Watson C. Squire is the eldest of four children who were the issue of this happy marriage. He was born May 18, 1838, at Cape Vincent, New York. His first school days were passed at Falley Seminary, Fulton, New York. From early childhood his chief desire seems to have been to secure an education. Books were his meat and drink. Everything that came in his way was eagerly devoured. While other boys played, he studied. When his first year ended he stood very high in his classes. A prodigious memory, with ceaseless application and an unquenchable thirst had accomplished that which it Mould take the ordinary student muc h more time to accom- plish. This brief spell did but whet his appe- tite for learning, but to acquire this he must work, and work he did. Thenceforth Watson C. Squire taught school in the winter, worked on the farm in the summer, and with the proceeds thus obtained attended school in spring and fall. At the age of fifteen he taught Latin, algebra and geometry in the town of Rose Valley, Wayne County, New York. At sixteen he taught the Union school at Marcellus, Onondaga County, New York. During this period of his life he attended school at Falley Seminary, and afterward at Fairfield Seminary, Fairfield, New York. At the age of eighteen he entered the soph- omore class of Wesleyan University, located at Middletown, Connecticut. There he graduated in 1859, at the age of twenty-one. His course in life had long been mapped out in his own mind. The bent of his inclinations had, for some time, been in the direction of the law. It was a field that offered the strongest inducements to a man of his habits of close application, profound thought and analytical turn of mind. He therefore began reading law in the office of Judge Ezra Graves, of Herkimer, New York. He had not been reading long, however, when he received an offer to become the principal of Moravia Institute, of Moravia, New Y'ork. This offer he accepted and was still at the head of this institution when an event occurred that changed CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 22 1 the whole tenor of his life. Sumter was fired upon. All thoughts of books, school, law, flew to the winds. The soldier's uniform and musket were to take the place of the professor's chair. That love of country which inspired his Puritan ancestry to heroic deeds had not lost one whit of its strength in its descent to young Squire. He did not wait to be drafted, but at once responded to the first call of President Lincoln for volunteers. He participated in the public meetings which were held immediately after the attack on Fort Sumter, for the purpose of denouncing that act and the menacing attitude of the Southern leaders, and to strengthen and encour- age the Government. It was at one of these meet- ings (of which he was the presiding officer) that he enlisted as a private soldier in the volunteer service and went to the front. He was promoted to be First Lieutenant of Company F, Nineteenth New York Infantry, in which regiment he served on the upper Potomac until the fall of 1861, when he was honorably discharged. He at once resumed the study of law in the office of Judge Rufus P. Ranney, of Cleveland, Ohio, and in the following- spring he graduated at the Cleveland Law School, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio in June, 1862. But now he was ill content with his chosen profession. Day after day he scanned the columns of the daily press, and with a heavy heart saw that the strife was to be prolonged far beyond what he or any other human being at first anticipated. Once more he resolved to offer bis services to his country, and with this end in view he raised a crack corps of sharp- shooters. His original command was called the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Sharp- shooters, but he afterward commanded a battalion of six companies called the First Battalion of Ohio Sharpshooters. He participated in all operations of the Army of the Cumberland, including the great battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Nash- ville. During the latter portion of his term of ser- vice he was Judge-Advocate of the District of Tennessee, and served on the staff of Major-General Rousseau; also for a short time on the staff of Major-General George H. Thomas. The surrender of Lee terminated his service. He had enlisted "for the war" and the war was over. He had justly won several promotions by meritorious ser- vices and by bravery on the battle field. He was now to take up the broken threads of a civilian's life again. In August, 1865, he was honorably mustered out of service and shortly afterward be- came the New York agent of the Remington Arms Company. It was during this period of his life that he visited the capitals of Russia, Spain, Turkey, Mexico and other countries, and made heavy con- tracts to supply the Governments of several foreign countries with arms. So successful were his nego- tiations, and so highly did the company appreciate them, that he was accorded an interest and made a business manager of the company, and this at a time when the business of the concern ran up into millions annually. In 1871 and 1872 nearly fifteen million dollars' worth of arms were sold to the French Government alone, including the arms and munitions which Colonel Squire bought of the United States Government. In 1876 he became largely interested, by purchase of property, in the Territory of Washington, and in June, 1879, re- moved to Seattle, where he has since been engaged in various enterprises contributing to the develop- ment of his adopted city. With the exception of a single year during the past ten years he has been constantly engaged in farming, and at the present time possesses two large farms, one of them being mainly devoted to dairy purposes, which he per- sonally manages. In 1884 the residents of the then Territory of Washington petitioned President Ar- thur to appoint a resident of the Territory as Gov- ernor, and their unanimous choice, irrespective of party affiliations, was Colonel Squire. As President Arthur's acquaintance with Colonel Squire ante- dated the latter's residence in the Territory, he wil- lingly complied with their wishes. His nomination was at once confirmed by the Senate, and he as- sumed the duties of the office. He immediately began the preparation of a report to the Secretary of the Interior, setting forth the resources and de- velopment of the Territory. Of this report Secre- tary Teller said : " This report of Governor Squire is the best report that has ever been given by any Governor of any Territory." It was clear and con-- cise, yet comprehensive. It indicated the most painstaking research and vast labor. It immedi- ately commanded the attention of capitalists throughout the eastern States, and probably con- tributed in a more marked degree to that wonderful influx of capital which followed so closely on its heels, than any other single document ever issued from the Territory. In this, (as in subsequent re- ports,) Governor Squire clearly pointed out the dangers to be apprehended from an unrestricted Chinese immigration, and strenuously urged the passage of laws by Congress tending to operate as a check to this menace. It was during his own ad- ministration that he was a witness to the fulfillment of his unhappy prediction. That influx of Chinese against which he vigorously warned Congress as- sumed such proportions that the citizens in some localities attempted to take the law in their own 222 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. hands and evict the Mongolians. In seme instances there were disturbances, but Governor Squire took prompt measures to uphold the majesty of the law, while at the same time striving to avoid unneces- sary severity toward that class upon whose shoul- ders fell the heaviest burden of Chinese competi- tion. It is now conceded that the course pursued by Governor Squire was the only one calculated to prevent serious outbreaks and the consequent bloodshed. Even the then leaders of the Chinese eviction movement are now numbered among his warmest admirers and supporters. At the expira- tion of his term of office Governor Squire devoted himself entirely to the management of his large landed interests. This he was engaged in when called upon to preside at the Statehood Convention, held in Ellensburg, in January, 1880. He was also made President of the permanent committee au- thorized to procure and present memorials to Con- gress petitioning for Statehood. This work was prosecuted to success. Congress passed the ena- bling act granting admission to Statehood. An election was held, resulting in an overwhelming majority for the Republican party, President Harri- son issued his proclamation, and the Legislature assembled for the purpose of enacting necessary laws and to elect two United States Senators. Gov- ernor Squire was elected United States Senator on the first ballot, for which he was nominated, hav- ing received seventy-six out of the ninety-four Republican votes cast. Two additional Republican votes would have been cast for him had not sick- ness prevented the attendance of two voters. The Republicans desired to reward one who had been a life-long and consistent Republican- -a Republican who cast his first vote for Lincoln, and who voted the Republican ticket in front of the enemy at Chattanooga ; a Republican who had for several years been an active member of the Republican Executive Committee of the State of New York : a Republican who has always given unsparingly of his time and money to the success of the party, and who has not only served his party loyally, but has proved faithful to the interests of the whole people when placed in official position. On the 23d of December, 1868, at Ilion, New York, Senator Squire was married to Ida Remington, daughter of Philo Remington. Mrs. Squire's father was the eldest son of Eliphalet Remington, the founder of the world renowned Remington Arms Company. Philo Remington, a singularly noble and able man, was born in Herkimer County, New York, October 30, 1816, (see pages 152-4 of this volume). At the death of his father, in 1861, he became the Superin- tendent and guiding genius of the great Remington Armory. He did much to shape the career of Colonel Squire as a business man. Mrs. Squire, who was educated at two celebrated institu- tions for ladies of that day, Cazenovia and Sans Souci Seminaries, without doubt is one of the most highly cultivated ladies of Washington. Senator Squire took his seat in the Senate on the first Mon- day in December, 1880. He was assigned places on the important committees on Public Buildings and Grounds, Coast Defences, Fisheries, and the promi- nent new Committee on Immigration. No novice in public affairs, his large and intimate acquaintance with prominent men of all parties, and his pre-emi- nent social qualities combined to give him a rank and influence usually accorded only to Senators of long service : and these advantages he has turned to good account for the flourishing and promising young State from which he is accredited. MARCLEY, JAMES IRVING, M.D., a leading medical practitioner of Buffalo, and late United States Health Officer at that Port, was born at Plainfield, New Jersey, July 17, 1845. His parents were M. F. and Thomas Marcley, both na- tives of New York. His early life was passed mainly in the city of New York, where, together with boarding schools in Connecticut and on the Hudson, his education was received and where he studied medicine, graduating at the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1873. After spending some time as as- sistant to the surgical clinic at the Demilt Dispen- sary and in the same capacity at the Free Dispen- sary for Sick Children, both in New York City, he formed a partnership with Dr. Clifford Morrough, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, which continued one year. During this period he officiated as Visit- ing Surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital at New Bruns- wick. In April, 1875, he removed to Buffalo and for twelve years devoted himself to general practice in that city. Becoming specially interested in the treatment of hernia, he made a close study of the various methods employed and was rewarded for his labors by the discovery of a radical cure for this serious and annoying affection without the neces- sity of an operation. After many carefully con- ducted scientific experiments, instituted to test the value of his discovery, and which served to convince him of its positive value, he gradually gave up gen- eral practice and since early in 1887 has devoted him- self- wholly to the radical cure of hernia without oper- ation Dr. Marcley's method, which is wholly his own discovery, is an entirely new departure in surgical _ MlanlicPublistunq A Enamvin CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 223 practice and lias been attended with remarkable success. Until recently, Dr. Marcley was the onl}- physician practicing this specialty, but at present there are a number in different parts of the country who have studied the method under him and are devoting themselves to it exclusivel}'. The discov- erer claims, and it appears to be amply borne out by repeated tests, that his method is applicable to all forms of hernia, irreducible as well as reducible. So far as known, this method is the only one ever practiced, that has proved applicable to irreducible hernia, and from this fact the discovery commands the respectful attention of the whole medical pro- fession. Dr. Marcley's high position among his fel- low practitioners is the result of untiring application, close study and uncommon natural talents. He is a man of positive character, earnest in the discharge of duty and devoted to his profession. His admit- ted skill as a practitioner led to his being appointed District Health Physician of Buffalo, for the year 1877, and Special Health Physician in 1882. In October, 1885, he was commissioned by the United States Government as Health Officer of the Port of Buffalo and served as such for several years. Dr. Marcley married, in March, 1873, Miss Frances Webb, of Elmira, New York, daughter of William Webb, Esq., of that place. Their family consists of three sons — Irving W. Marcley, Frank N. Marcley ank Robert L. Marcley. WHEELER, HON. WILLIAM ALMON, Vice- President of the United States from March 4, 1877, to March 4, 1881, was born in Malone, Franklin County, New York, on June 30, 1819, and died there June 4, 1887. He was the first and only one of his immediate family who became distin- guished. His grandfather, on the Wheeler side, was in the Revolutionary battle of Concord, fighting with tlie Americans. His mother's ancestors, named Woodward, were also Revolutionary sol- diers. The Wheelers were of Massachusetts origin, the Woodwards of Connecticut. The two families went to Vermont, and settled near Highgate and Castleton. At the former place the father of the late ex- Vice-President was born. After a partial course in the University of Vermont he became a lawyer, married Eliza Woodward, and moved to Malone, where he died when his son was eight years old. The family, consisting of the boy Wil- liam A. and two sisters, being left without means of support, the mother reared the young children as best she coidd. Young Wheeler was kept at school until he was capable of teaching a country school, after which time he worked his way up to higher education. After two years in the University of Vermont, he studied law for four years with Asa Hascall, of Malone, and was admitted to the bar. Mr. Wheeler was almost continually in office of a public or private nature from the time he was a law student until he left the Vice-Presidency on the 4th of March, 1881. While he was studying law he was elected Town Clerk, at a salary of thirty dollars a year. From this office he was promoted to be School Commissioner, and then to a School Inspec- torship. In 1847 he was elected District Attorney as a Whig on a Union ticket, which carried a Dem- ocrat for County Judge, this arrangement being made at that time for the purpose of keeping the judiciary of Franklin County out of politics. At the close of his term as District Attorney he was elected a member of the Assembly, in which body he served two terms, 1850-'ol. In 1857 he was elected to the State Senate, serving in that body two years, 1858-'59. Two years later, 1861, he went to Washington as a Representative in the Thirty- seventh Congress. At the close of one term he re- tired to private life for four years, but was then returned as a member of the Forty-first Congress, and thence on to March 4, 1877, he was kept in the House. Meantime Mr. Wheeler was charged with a good many trusts of a business, private, and semi-public nature. In 1873 he was appointed one of the Commissioners of the State Parks, a Commis- sion which grew out of the Adirondack survey, and in 1876 he was appointed by the Governor as one of the Commissioners of the State Survey. In 1867 he was elected as one of the Delegates to the State Constitutional Convention. It consisted of one hundred and sixty members, and Mr. Wheeler was chosen President of it by a vote of one hundred against forty-nine cast for all other candidates. His nearest competitor was the late Henry C. Murphy, of Brooklyn, who received only nine votes. The next nearest was Amasa J. Parker, of Albany, who received five votes. The large vote by which Mr. Wheeler was elected was not of a party nature. He presided over the Convention with marked success. In 1851, owing to a chronic difficulty in his throat, he gave up the practice of law. He was thereupon selected to be Cashier of the Malone Bank, which position he held until 1865. While engaged in banking, in 1854, he was made a member of a Board of Trustees for the management of the then bankrupt Northern Railroad, now the busy Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Road. When he entered the Board, the bonds of "the road were kicked about as worth only four cents on the dol- lar. The Board elected him President in order to 224 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. concentrate the management of the- road in his hands. In the eleven years during which he held this trust, the bonds appreciated to par, and were paid in full with considerable interest. Mr. Wheeler himself did not have a cent's worth of investment in the road he so successfully managed. The business stimulus of the Civil War was, of course, greatly to the road's advantage. While he was a member of Congress, the famous " Salary Grab" Act was passed without his aid or approval. He took the additional salary that fell to him, but immediately he bought Government bonds with it, assigned them to the Secretary of tlie Treasury, and, turning them over to the latter, had them cancelled. In this way he put the money beyond ! possible reach of himself or his heirs. In 1875, while Chairman of the Committee on Southern Af- fairs, he rendered noteworthy service as a political pacificator in Louisiana. He went to New Orleans without particular authority from Congress, and re- mained there a month, giving personal attention to affairs. The plans he had matured for adjusting the then seriously complicated state of affairs in Louisiana were put into operation and were the means of settling the troubles, for the time being at least. His public services and his well-known in- tegrity brought him forward as a candidate for the Presidency, in the Republican Convention of 1876, at Cincinnati. Rutherford B. Hayes was. however, nominated, and Mr. Wheeler was made the candi- date for Vice-President. As President of the Sen- ate he discharged his duties satisfactorily. He was not charmed by them himself. He w r as accus- tomed to greater responsibility in office, and was sometimes impatient of the dead calm of a Vice- President's life. In 1879 he was brought forward by the Republican managers of this State to act the part of pacificator. When the State Convention met in Saratoga, Roscoe Conkling, then Senator, was made temporary Chairman, and Vice-President Wheeler permanent Chairman. The floor managers were charged with the duty of cheering lustily for both presiding officers, and the part was well taken. Mr. Conkling graciously refrained from assading the Administration. For this self-denial he was ap- plauded by the Half-Breeds as heartily as the Stal- warts cheered for what the Senator might have said if he had taken the (Hayes) Administration in hand. When Vice-President Wheeler in making his speech ventured to commend the President as a Republi- can President, the Stalwarts joined in the general hurrah. To clinch the reconciliation Mr. Conkling strode to the chair and shook the Vice-President's hand, when, closing his remarks, he took up the gavel. Two years before, Mr. Conkling and Mr. Piatt at Rochester had assailed the Administration ruthlessly; two years afterwards, the party feud culminated in the destructive Senatorial fight in Albany and the assassination of Garfield at Wash- ington, in 1881. In 1881 Mr. Wheeler was asked to allow the use of his name as a candidate for the United States Senate. He declined in a manly letter, determined to pass the remainder of his days in the quiet to which a long and useful public life entitled him, in the bosom of the community where he was born, where he had always made his home and where all recognized in him a ready friend and a wise counsellor. He had been losing ground for several years, but had always been able to be about until the winter of 1886 In March, 1887, he was taken with a chill, followed by fever, which came near ending his life. He finally rallied, but never again regained his former vigor, and steadily lost strength both of body and mind. On Monday preceding his death he sank into an unconscious con- dition and could not be rallied out of it. He died so easily and painlessly that those at his bedside could scarcely tell when. Mr. Wheeler was greatly es- teemed and loved by all his fellow townsmen, and the sad event cast a gloom over the entire community. No near relative was left living to minister to him dur- ing his illness or to watch by his side at death, but the relatives of his deceased wife and many friends, who had been bound to him from boyhood by the closest ties of affection, were tender in solicitude for him, and a few of them were grouped, with his pastor and physician, about him when he breathed his last. Flags at half-mast and other emblems of mourning were generally displayed. The funeral was held at one o'clock on Tuesday, June 7, at the Congregational Church, with a sermon b}' the pas- tor, to whom Mr. Wheeler had been almost a second father. SCHLEY, GRANT BARNEY, one of the foremost of the younger generation of financiers of New York City, was born on February 25, 1845, at Chapinsville, a small village in Ontario County, New York, distant a few 7 miles from Canandaigua, the county seat. His father, Evander Schley, was engaged in the dry-goods and wool business at Canandaigua, and at the famous academy there the boy completed his education. In 1861, when he was only sixteen years of age, he left home to seek his fortune, and went to Syracuse, where he soon ob- tained employment in the express office of Wells, Butterfield & Co. At that time the express busi- ness between New York City and Buffalo was . CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 22 5 controlled by this firm, and that west of Buffalo and 1 Suspension Bridge by Livingston, Fargo & Co. ■ He remained at Syracuse, at a salary of thirty dollars a month, for about a year and a half, when he was transferred to the office at Suspension Bridge. When he left the latter place he was re- ceiving thirty dollars a week. The consolidation of the two firms named under the title of the American Express Company, brought Mr. Schley to New York City, in I860. It was necessary to have in the head office of the new company some one thoroughly familiar with both eastern and western methods of the business, and the young agent who had risen to the control of the Suspension Bridge office was selected. A subordinate position in the money de- partment was given to him, but he again won rapid promotion, and from 1870 to 1874 he was in charge of both the inward and outward money department and was also the cashier of the Company — a posi- tion of great responsibility. In the latter year he resigned his office to enter the service of the First National Bank, which was about to establish a for- eign exchange department. When he left the bank, six years afterward, he was in full charge of this de- partment, which he had brought to a high state of efficiency. On his retirement it was immediately abolished. Mr. Schley's short but interesting Wall Street career began with a co-partnership, in May, 1880, with Mr. Ernest Groesbeck, under the firm name of Groesbeck & Schley. Although the firm was eminently successful in business, this connec- tion was dissolved in January, 1885, and at the be- ginning of the following month the present house of Moore & Schley was established. Mr. Schley had been a member of the New York Stock Exchange for four years, and although he did not often go xipon the floor, he was thoroughly conversant with all the details of the business. His partner, Mr. John G. Moore (of whom a biographical sketch is given in Vol. 5, pp. 313-314 of this work) had spent a year and a half abroad, immediately after leasing the Mutual Union Telegraph to the Western Union Company, and on his return directed his attention to the stock brokerage business. Circumstances threw the two men together, and conceiving a mutual regard and respect for each other, they con- cluded to link their fortunes together in a business for which both were peculiarly fitted. The co-part- nership has been a happy association to which both members brought the fruits of wide experience. The growth of the house they together constitute, which is now one of the largest and most important in "the Street," has been rapid and substantial. Its remarkable success may be said to be equally due to both partners. The enterprise and extensive appli- I cation of one are admirably supplemented by the financial knowledge and training of the other ; and sound judgment and perfect harmony of action have made success certain. Mr. Schley's share has been chiefly the conduct of the office and the manage- ment of the details of the large operations in which the firm has been frequently engaged. This work he has performed with great tact and unerring judgment. Of an agreeable address and amiable disposition, he is prompt in decision, anil in action quick and resolute. In looking back over his career it is difficult to arrive at any other conclusion than that a subtle irresistible attraction brought him into Wall Street, where he has won a large for- tune, and that all his previous experience helped him forward to his present success. In this respect his career affords a marked refutation of the popu- lar fallacy, that chance is the principal element in financial achievements in Wall Street. Mr. Schley's success is undoubtedly based upon a perfect know- ledge of finance acquired through years of training, such as would naturally ripen the judgment in monetary transactions ; and his wealth is the legiti- mate outcome of the employment of his judgment in the every-day channels of business. Few men in " the Street" are more popular and none is more esteemed. Mr. Schley was . married, in 1877, at Washington, D. C, to Miss Elizabeth Baker, the only sister of Mr. George F. Baker, President of the First National Bank of New York. Mrs. Schley's father was George E. Baker, who was the private Secretary of the late Secretary Seward during Ids official career. He afterwards edited a life of that great statesman. Mr. and Mrs. Schley have five children, of whom four are boys. The recent death of Mr. Schley's mother was the first in his immedi- ate family during his lifetime. His father is still living. Mr. Schley lives at No. 812 Madison Avenue, New York City, and also owns a country seat near Bedminster, New Jersey. TRENHOLM, COLONEL WILLIAM LEE, Presi. dent of the American Surety Company of New York City, and ex-Comptroller of National Cur- rency in the. United States Treasurj r , was born in Charleston, South Carolina, February 3, 183C. Af- ter proper preparation for a university career, he studied at the South Carolina College of Columbia, South Carolina, from which institution he graduated in December, 1855. In the following year he be- came a partner in the well-known commercial houses of John Frazer & Co., of Charleston, South Carolina, Trenholm Brothers & Co., of New York, 226 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. and Frazer, Trenholm & Co., of Liverpool, Eng- land. Mr. Trenholm's father, George A. Trenholm, of Charleston, South Carolina, was a senior partner in Charleston of the old house of John Frazer & Co., whose founder came from Scotland three- quarters of a century ago. Mr. Trenholm, Sr., was a man of recognized ability and influence, who was Secretary of the Treasury in the Confederate Gov- ernment of the South during the war. At the com- mencement of the War of the Rebellion, his son, William Lee Trenholm, the subject of this sketch, volunteered for military service with the troops of the State of South Carolina and was elected Cap- tain of the Rutledge Mounted Riflemen, which be- came at a later period an independent command in the Confederate Army, consisting of a squadron of monuted rifles and a section of horse artillery. He commanded this corps in South Carolina until April, 1864, and afterwards in Virginia, where he was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, and promoted to the command of the Eighth Battalion, South Car- olina Cavalry, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1865, South Carolina, like the rest of the South- ern States, being under provisional government, Mr. Trenholm was made Special Aid to Governor Perry and was charged with the supervision of the rela- tions between the Federal military authorities and the citizens in the coast counties. This position in- volved duties requiring great judgment and deli- cate and discreet management, which were per- formed by Mr. Trenholm to the satisfaction of all those who had relations with him. In 1866 a number of prominent gentlemen of Charleston, South Carolina, united to organize the First Na- tional Bank of that city, which was in fact among the very earliest associations organized in the South under the National banking law. These gentlemen included the late Andrew Simonds, George W. Williams and others, among whom was Mr. Tren- holm. At this time also he became one of the in- corporators of the Charleston City Railway Com- pany. In 1868 Mr. Trenholm went into a banking business with his father, the Hon. George A. Tren- holm, under the firm name of George A. Trenholm & Son, and continued in this business until 1885, when he was appointed by President Cleveland one of the United States Civil Service Commissioners. Mr. Trenholm held this position, however, only for a few months, when President Cleveland called him to the position of Comptroller of the Currency in the Department of the Treasury. In January, 1889, Mr. Trenholm resigned the Comptrollership to ac- cept the Presidency of the American Surety Com- pany of New York. In October of the same year lie was elected First Vice-President of the State Trust Company of New York. With two excep- tions, Mr. Trenholm never before held public office or became a candidate for any place filled by elec- tion, and on each of these occasions he was elected one of the Aldermen of Charleston, South Carolina, on tickets specially made up for an unusual occa- sion and supported especially by the business ele- ments of the community. The life-long experience of Mr. Trenholm having been mainly in financial affairs, he has been looked upon as an authority and a judge in regard to such matters. His utter- ances, therefore, on subjects connected with the currency and with finance in general, have always carried weight and have been highly considered as expressions of expert opinion. In 1885 Mr. Tren- holm made two addresses on the silver question. One of these was made at Chicago in the summer of 1885, by request of the American Bankers Asso- ciation of that cit}'. The other was made in May before the Atlanta Commercial Convention. These and other speeches on the subject attracted the attention of President Cleveland, causing him to discover in Mr. Trenholm a man of experience, knowledge and ability on financial questions, and inducing him to give him the appointment which brought him more forcibly and more favorably before the general American public than would have otherwise been the case. .Mr. Trenholm doubtless inherited his tendency towards an ac- curate judgment and definition in financial affairs fromiiis father, who was, both by nature and as a result of his life-experience, more than usually versed in them. The subject of this sketch has been noted for a closeness of observation and wise '■ prudence in the administration of financial duties, which have given him the confidence of business men throughout the country to a degree very sel- dom accorded. While eminently conservative in his views, he is still not without original ideas and conceptions with regard to financial relations, which show a mind of broad scope and intelligent appre- ciation of the difficult situations constantly occurring in financial administration, whether this be over a whole country or over a fiduciary or other institu- tion. In Mr. Trenholm's official reports while Comptroller of the Currency, he offered suggestions with regard to improving the general features of the National banking system, and in 1886 embodied these in a bill for a National banking code. The design of this bill was to modify the security of the existing banking laws, and one section incorporated, into the oath taken by directors, an obligation to inform themselves at all times as to the business and condition of the association. Another section forbade the organization of National banks with CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 227 branches, the design suggested being that it was in the line of public policy to take precaution in ad- vance against any future development of the Na- tional banking system in the direction of combina- tion and agglomeration, similar to the development among railroad and other corporations controlling interests upon which the business and convenience of whole communities depend. The proposed code divided the banks into two classes, those with a capital of $250,000 and less, and those of which the capital exceeded $250,000, reducing the amount to be deposited by the smaller banks from one-fourth to one-tenth of their capital, and that to be deposited by the larger banks from $50,000 to #25,000. The reason of this suggested change was that the bond re- quirement was found to be a serious impediment to the absorption into the National banking system of the State banks, and was also an impediment to the formation of new banks of large capital. An im- portant provision in this code extended to the entire „ National banking circulation the already existing provision in the act of 1882, which reserved to the United States whatever profit might arise from the failure to redeem the notes of banks extending their corporate existence. This distinctly provided that all uncalled-for moneys in the various redemp- tion funds should ultimately belong to the United States. One section relieved banks of the obliga- tion of keeping a cash reserve against Government deposits. Mr. Trenholm also made the suggestion for an interstate commercial code, and stated in his report on that subject that, while the time might not yet be ripe for its enactment by Congress, such legislation appeared to be in logical sequence to the establishment and extension of the National bank- ing system and to the regulation by Congress of interstate transportation. It does not appear that these ideas, which originated with Mr. Trenholm, were carried into effect by act of Congress. Dur- ing Mr. Trenholm's administration of the Comp- trollership he received from all parts of the country a vast number of communications suggesting modi- fications of the laws by which, in the opinions of the writers, the National banking system would be improved and perpetuated. Upwards of forty plans were suggested, which were classed by Mr. Trenholm under rive propositions : 1. To do away with the note-issuing function of banks ; 2. To in- crease the inducements for the banks to deposit United States bonds as a basis of National bank circulation ; 3. To provide by a new issue of bonds for a continuance of the present or of some modi- fied system of National bank circulation based on United States bonds; 4. To substitute some other security for United States bonds deposited in the Treasury as a basis for National bank circulation ; 5. To allow the banks to issue circulation for their general credit without requiring specific security to be deposited. These propositions show not only the wide-spread interest in the administration of the financial laws of the country, but also the very different ideas held by those thus sufficiently inter- ested and who must have considered themselves in some degree qualified for judgment on the subject. Mr. Trenholm, however, considered these various suggestions on their merits and made such recom- mendations with regard to some of them as seemed to him to include both justice to the banks and security to the business public. One of his objects was to relieve the Treasury and the currency from what he deemed to be an unnecessary and harass- ing interdependence on outside commercial chances and changes. To use his own language : " Throughout the whole period of the existence of the National bank circulation there never has been a time wdien the volume of the outstanding notes has been determined by commercial forces only. The operations of the Treasury have always exercised an abnormal and a disturbing influence, and reciprocally the state of the currency has con- stantly fettered the operations of the Treasury." Mr. Trenholm's suggestion to obviate this dis- turbance was to shift National bank deposits out of the four-and-a-half per cent, bonds, the effect of which he ciaimed would be to produce a corres- ponding decline in the sensitiveness of the banks and of the money market to the progress of re- demption of the public debt. To use his own language again : "Once free from the disturbing cause referred to, there is no reason why the volume of National bank currency should not soon find its natural cen- ter of oscillation ; that is, the point above and below winch its normal movements of increase and de- cline would conform to the varying needs of the commercial and other interests of the country." In his general theory with regard to the requisite amount of circulating medium or currency for a commercial people, Mr. Trenholm differed both from Adam Smith, who was one of the first to enunciate the principles governing the question, and Mr. W. Stanley Jevons, who was one of the latest. Both of these authorities held that the amount of circulating medium in any country at any time should, pari passu, agree with the number of the population engaged in commercial pursuits. In disagreement with this theory, Mr. Trenholm said , "From the standpoint of the commercial and other industries of the country elasticity is more important than quantity in the currency. Their interests are better subserved by a currency so elas- tic in volume as to respond immediately to varia- 228 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. tions in the demand for it than by a 'great volume of money rigid in amount. Elasticity of the vol- ume of the currency supplies to commercial opera- tions what springs "and a smooth road supply to transportation. In each case more can be accom- plished with less wear and tear and less breakage than is possible when these conditions are wanting." Whatever opinions may be held as to the perti- nence or wisdom of these ideas in their application to existing conditions in the financial system of the United States, there can be no question as to the thoughtful and thorough study of these conditions which must have given rise to the quite original propositions of Mr. Trenholm. It is in this direc- tion of original idea and thought about subjects which have engrossed him, that Mr. Trenholm's importance and influence in the financial world are due. LEVY, JEFFERSON M., a prominent citizen and lawyer of New Y'ork, was born in that city on April 16, 1852. His ancestors settled in New York and Virginia early in the seventeenth century and were among the oldest owners of real estate in the first named colony, their patent, according to the annals in Albany, dating back to 1665. The mortal remains of his great-grandfather lie buried in the old cemetery in the " new Bower}'" in New York City, and those of his grandmother, — who, upon her presentation at the Court of St. James, shortly after the Revolutionary War, while on a visit to England, was called " the American beauty," — are interred at Monticello, in Virginia, for- merly the home of Thomas Jefferson, but now by inheritance the property of her grandson, the sub- ject of this sketch. Representatives of the family to which Mr. Levy belongs have made its name historical through their services in all the wars in which the United States have been involved. His uncle, Commodore Uriah P. Levy, United States Navy, was the ranking officer in the Navy at the time of his death in 1862. One of the most ardent of patriots, the life of this brave and dis- tinguished officer reads like a romance, and while history records, it will furnish an example which young men may emulate with honor to themselves and profit to their country. By great industry and honorable occupation as seaman and officer he be- came part owner and master of a vessel by the time he attained his majority. When war broke out be- tween his native land and Great Britain he volun- teered his services, and his name became insepara- ble from the brave, patriotic officers and men who in the "Argus" defied the enemy in the English Chan- nel, and he was among those officers who after- wards languished in chains in Dartmoor prison un- til the end of the war. He received his promotion to a Lieutenancy for " meritorious service and ex- traordinary merit." Shortly after the war (about 1817) on what was then called the Field of Honor he received the fire of an implacable enemy several times before returning it. In 1822, at Dubardeau Inlet, at the risk of his life, he saved the lives of men and women imperiled by the winds and waters of a furious gale, and the scars he received then he bore to his grave. In 1827, at Rio Janeiro, he inter- posed his own body between blows aimed by Brazil- ian soldiers at a brother officer, and saved his life by receiving on his hand the sabre and in his side the bayonet intended for that brother officer. This man- liness and the skill he showed in naval matters were noted by the Emperor Dom Pedro, who offered him the command of the splendid frigate "Caroline" and great dignities, if he would resign from the American Navy and take service under the Brazil- ian flag. But to this proposal the gallant young officer patriotically sent reply: "I would rather serve as a cabin boy in my own service than as a captain in an}' other service in the world." This officer was a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson, and the tine bronze statue of the author of the Dec- laration of Independence, by David d'Anjiers, now in the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington, was his gift to the United States Government in the year 1834. He also presented a copy of this splendid work of art to the city of New York and it now or- naments the Governor's room in the City nail. In recognition of his distinguished services to his country, the Mayor and Commonalty of New York presented him with the freedom of the city and a magnificent gold box. He resolutely set his face against the British custom of flogging, which pre- vailed in the navy in its earlier days, taking grounds against it as inhuman and unmanly and a foul in- justice to our gallant tars. He was the author of the statute for the " Abolition of Whipping in the United States Navy " which put an end to the prac- tice, and won for him the title, which he prized, of "the Father of the Seamen of the United States Navy." After the death of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, whose deeds and character he appreciated and esteemed, he pur- chased his beloved "Monticello" at the request of President Andrew Jackson, from the estate of Jeffer- son. This property, which is regarded as the grand- est old colonial home in America, was begun by Jefferson in 1764 and finished in 1771. It is built somewhat like the palace of the Petit Trainou at Versailles; its public rooms consist of a grand sa-- Atlantic PuMsMna * Snaravtno Co CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 229 Ion, dining hall, library, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe rooms, ball room and grand hall. It stands in a commanding position on a small plateau ele- vated some three hundred feet above the surround- ing country, and five hundred and twenty-eight feet above the level of the sea. The estate embraces five hundred acres of park land, gardens and lawns. Monticello was visited by the British raider, Gen- eral Tarleton, during the Revolution, but he con- siderately spared the lovely mansion and set a guard over it. During the late Civil War this mag- nificent property, lying entirely within the Confed- erate lines, was confiscated by the Confederate Gov- ernment, together with all the other property, real and personal, of Commodore Levy, who, although a Democrat, remained faithful in his allegiance to the National Government. At the close of the Civil War, his nephew, Mr. Jefferson M. Lev}-, entered and took possession of the property as the legal in- heritor of the estate of his illustrious uncle. The father of Mr. Jefferson M. Levy was the late Cap- tain J. P. Levy, also a gallant officer in the service of the United States. Born in Philadelphia, in 1807, he grew up in the service of his country, and at the time of the Mexican War, being then in the prime of his manhood, commanded the United States ves- sel " America," and was appointed by General Win- field Scott commanding naval officer of the port of Vera Cruz at its surrender. He died in 1883. Jef- ferson M. Levy, his eldest son, was educated under private tutors, graduating at the University of the City of New York, and when nearly of age began the study of law under the late Hon. Clarkson N. Potter, one of the most distinguished jurists at the American bar. After being admitted to practice, one of the first cases placed in his hands was that of the widow of the late James B. Taylor, whose in- terests he defended, in contesting and settling the many litigations, against an array of older attorneys' embracing a number of the most distinguished law- yers at the bar of New York and Oneida Counties, including Francis Kernan, Roscoe Conkling, Henry L. Clinton and Edward W. Stoughton. He suc- ceeded so well in exposing the wretched condition of the laws governing the administration of estates in the Surrogate's office, that new laws were enacted by the State Legislature, which repealed the old and put an elfective check for the future upon the sys- tem of extravagant and wasteful allowances which, up to that time, had been a scandal and a disgrace. While inheriting wealth, the subject of this sketch may justly lay claim to being a self-made man, as he has never employed in any manner his inheri- tance, but has made his way entirely through his own efforts. He has always paid a great deal of at- l tention to real estate matters, and, although it is ! well known that he makes no sale of his abilities in this direction, he is recognized as one of the great- est, if not the greatest real estate expert in the city of New York. Mr. Levy has always been noted for his intense interest in public affairs. Long before he was of age this bent of his mind was plainly manifest. His ambitions and studies have been in the direction of public life, although he has seen fit to refuse all public office suggested for his accept- ance. His acquaintance with public men is very large, particularly in the Democratic party, with J many of the leaders of which he has been on terms of closest and most confidential intimacy. He is a I familiar figure in political, social and club circles in the metropolis, and, although unmarried, takes a justifiable pride in his magnificent country home in Virginia, which it is his pleasure and privilege to beautify and retain in the same condition as when it w T as in the possession of its illustrious founder. Mr. Levy is a Vice-President of the Young Men's Dem- ocratic Club, and a member of the New York His- torical Society and of the Manhattan and other well known clubs. He is a man of genial nature, elegant manners and charitable impulses, and is widely popular in all circles. The possession of an ample fortune, acquired through his own unaided efforts, gives him that freedom which enables him to devote a goodly share of his time to the study and educa- tion of the great problems of statecraft for which he has a natural inclination, and upon which his views are frequently solicited and his advice carried into effect by distinguished nien of his acquaintance prominent in public life. VEBSTER, DAVID, M.D., a distinguished ocu- list and aurist of New York City, and Pro- fessor of Ophthalmology in the New York Polyclinic, and in the Medical Department of Dart- mouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, was born at Cambridge, Nova Scotia, on July 16, 1842. His parents were Asael and Hephzibah Webster, natives of Nova Scotia. The latter, whose maiden name was Pearson, was a cousin of Sir Charles Tupper, the Canadian statesman, her mother and his father being brother and sister. The subject of this sketch received his degree of Doctor of Medicine from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in the city of New York, at which he was graduated in 1868, after a thorough course of study in all the branches of medicine. He became deeply interested in diseases of the eye and ear and devoted himself 23O CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. to their mastery under the hest specialists. In 1869 he was appointed House Surgeon of the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital, and remained in that posi- tion a year and a half. He then became House Surgeon of the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital (in New York City) where he remained two years. Upon leaving this institution he went into the office of the late Dr. Cornelius Rea Agnew, who was then at the zenith of his fame as an eye and ear special- ist, and with whom he remained associated in prac- tice until the death of this distinguished man on April 18, 1888. Dr. Webster's abilities in the specialty to which he has devoted his life have earned for him a reputation which is National, and have brought him high honors in his profession. In 1881 he was appointed Professor of Ophthal- mology in the New York Polyclinic, "a school of clinical medicine and surgery for practitioners," founded in 1880-'81, of which he was one of the organizers, and which claims the honor of being the pioneer post-graduate school of medicine in the United States. This position he still holds. In 1889 he accepted the Chair of Ophthalmology in the Medical School of Dartmouth College, at Hanover, New Hampshire. Among other leading profes- sional positions he occupies, may be mentioned the following : Surgeon to the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, and Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Skin and Cancer Hospital, to the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled, to the House of Mercy and to the Hackensack Hospital, Hackensack, New Jersey. He is also Consulting Surgeon to the Paterson Eye and Ear Infirmary, Paterson, New Jersey. He is a member and in 1882 was President of the Medical Society of the Count}' of New York. He is also a member of the New York Ophthalmological Society — of which he was President in 1883 — of the New York Academy of Medicine, of the Neurological Society, of the American Ophthalmological Society, of the American Otological Societ} - , of the New York State Medical Society, and of the New York Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Medical Men. Dr. Webster is the author of numerous papers on diseases of the eye and ear, which have been given wide circulation in the pages of the leading medical journals. Notwith- standing the extensive demands made upon his time by professional labors, he finds leisure to be- come interested in many other subjects and to lend his aid to worthy charities, and to the encourage- ment of general science and art. He is a member of the New York Historical Society and also of the Union League Club. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Genevieve Macfarlane, but has no living children. JOHNSON, HON. JESSE, United States District Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, including the Counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk, was born in Bradford, Ver- mont, February 20, 1842. He was properly prepared at the schools for a university education, and en- tered Dartmouth College, graduating in 1863. Dur- ing the next year he studied in the Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar. Shortly after- wards he went to reside in Brooklyn, New York, and began the practice of his profession, soon reach- ing considerable prominence as a lawyer. From the beginning of his legal career Mr. Johnson took an active interest in politics, and was at first associated with the Democratic party. He was an earnest po- litical worker, and his services were very useful to his party, and under the administration of Hon. William C. DeWitt he was made Assistant Corpora- tion Counsel. He subsequently served eight years, from 1869 to 1877, in the law department of Brook- lyn. Mr. Johnson afterwards resumed his law prac- tice, and soon after this severed his connection with the Democratic party. His personal capacity being well known as also his energy and skill as a political leader, he was at once placed in a high position in the councils of the Republican party. Probably a reason for this also existed in the peculiar circum- stances under which Mr. Johnson's transfer of political fealty had been made. During the last four or five years of his experience as Assistant Corporation Counsel, and more particularly during the administration of the Reform Republican Mayor, Mr. Frederick A. Schroeder, and during the term of office of Mr. DeWitt, it happened that Mr. Johnson was engaged in the energetic prosecution of delin- quent city officials. This fact brought the office into antagonism with the local Democratic organiza- ( tion, but should properly be taken as an evidence that he did not permit his party allegiance to bias him in respect to his official duty. Naturally enough : however, having thus come into conflict with the Democratic party, he drifted into the op- posite organization, where his quality of fidelity to public interests would seem to have been better ap- preciated than in the party from which he retired. In 1883 Mr. Johnson was candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial District, in- cluding Kings, Queens, Dutchess, Suffolk, Rich- mond, Orange, Westchester and Putnam Counties. His opponent was the Hon. William Bartlett, who- ! was successful in obtaining the election ; but excel- lent testimony to Mr. Johnson's popularity was shown by the fact that he not only received the hearty endorsement of his associates in the legal profession, but that he succeeded in largely reducing CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the Democratic majority. Since his accession to membership in the Republican party, Mr. Johnson has been recognized as one of the most energetic workers in its ranks. This has been particularly the case in the Twentieth Ward of Brooklyn, where he resides. He has always labored faithfully and tenaciously in support of Republican principles and of the candidates of the Republican party. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1888, and there earnestly advocated the nomination of General Harrison, and exercised considerable in- fluence over the New York delegation in his favor. During the progress of the campaign, Mr. Johnson went on the stump and did most effective work. There is no doubt that he contributed materially to- wards reducing the opposition vote in Kings Coun- ty. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Republican General Committee, a Director in the Brooklyn Re- publican League, and a member of the Lafayette Republican Club, and has turned his membership in these organizations to excellent effect in rendering good service to the Republican party. In local poli- tics Mr. Johnson has the admirable reputation of having studiously and persistently kept aloof from factions while being at all times a most earnest and outspoken Republican. He has gained great popu- larity among the rank and file, from the fact that it is recognized that he has more consideration for the wishes of the voters than for the manipulators of deals for personal or factional purposes. In regard to the important office which Mr. Johnson now holds, and to which he was appointed by President Harrison in the summer of 1889, (it being the first Republican appointment in Brooklyn under Mr. Harrison's administration) — it is to be said that he received the almost unanimous endorsement of the County Committee and of the Republican leaders generally. The office is of course one of the great- est responsibility, and the satisfaction with which Mr. Johnson's appointment was hailed by Republi- cans of every stripe throughout Kings County gave especial attestation of the wisdom of President Har- rison's choice. It is, however, very strikingly a compliment to Mr. Johnson's personal reputation, and affords, moreover, additional proof of the ex- cellence of his choice for United States District Attorney, that the appointment proved to be quite as satisfactory to his Democratic fellow-citizens as to the Republicans. The Eagle, the leading Demo- cratic organ of Brooklyn, and one of the most prominent Democratic papers in the country, in re- ferring to Mr. Johnson's appointment, paid him the following highly complimentary and certainly de- served tribute : " The choice of Mr. Johnson leaves no room for legitimate criticism. To the discharge of his duties he brings a capacity adequate to their fulfillment. During a period of more than twenty years at the local bar he has established a reputation as one of the most industrious, studious, energetic and capa- ble members of his profession resident here. He was easily the best equipped of all the candidates who aspired to the place, and his elevation will be received with entire satisfaction by his fellow-citi- zens. It is fortunate for all concerned that the out- going officer is succeeded by so competent and trustworthy a gentleman as Mr. Johnson. Never a factionist by inclination, he can reasonably be ex- pected to hold aloof from internal party strife. If, in designating officials for the other federal offices here, President Harrison does as well as he has with the District Attorneyship, the people of Brooklyn will be gratified, and the Executive will have no reason to complain of the reception accorded to his selections." This certainly was extraordinary language to be employed by the leading organ of the opposition, in regard to an appointment of such importance as that which Mr. Johnson fills. No expression of opinion from any source could convey a more grati- fying or more flattering testimonial to the height of personal and public esteem reached by Mr. Johnson than this. Here also it will be observed that allu- sion is made to Mr. Johnson's abstention from con- nection with factional workings and methods, afact which illustrates what will easily have been recog- nized as a predominant quality in Mr. Johnson's political character. Thoroughly loyal to party prin- ciples, he exhibits an equally thorough scorn for the lower grades of party politics and for the tricks and manoeuvres by which party deals are effected for personal or factional aggrandizement. In his pres- ent office he follows such eminent lawyers as Ben- jamin D. Silliman, Secretary Benjamin F. Tracy and Judge A. W. Teuney. Of course in the dis- charge of his duties in this office Mr. Johnson can- not but be greatly aided by the thorough knowledge of legal decisions and official technicalities gained during his long service as Assistant Corporation Counsel. Mr. Johnson is the senior member of the well-known law firm of Johnson & Lamb, and has for many years been in possession of a large and very lucrative practice. While, as already stated, united to several important political organizations, he is also a member of many social clubs and socie- ties in Brooklyn, including the Oxford and the Brooklyn Clubs. Personally he is a man of distin- guished and intellectual appearance, affable in man- ner, courteous and dignified, presenting to all asso- ciating with him, the appearance of a man of mark and culture. Upon the broad foundation of a thorough and liberal school and college education and comprehensive study for his profession, he has erected a superstructure of professional and general 232 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. knowledge, such as very seldom falls to the share of men so largely engaged in party politics as he has been. Outside of his party service, it is also to be remembered that he has been a thorough, able and conscientious lawyer, probably as well equipped in his profession as any man of his age in the State. It is a generally recognized fact that the law firm of which he is the head, has one of the largest busi- nesses in Brooklyn, and is indeed one of the leading firms in the metropolitan district of New York and vicinity. Mr. Johnson was counsel for the first commission ever appointed in Brooklyn to organize a Rapid Transit Company, and it was organized by that commission. He also drew the charter for the Kings County Railroad Company, and was identified with that company and its contests during six or seven years of the active litigation which it waged for existence. WALKER, HON. EDWARD C, ex-State Senator from the Thirtieth Senatorial District, and resident of Batavia, New York, was born in Byron, New-York, June 14, 1837. His grandfather, Amasa Walker, was born in Ashford, Connecticut, in 1767, and came to Byron, Genessee Count} 7 , with his family in 1811. His son, Cyrus, was at this time twelve years of age. Genessee County was then mainly a dense and heavy wilderness of forest, which it was necessary for the newly-arrived immi- grants to break up in order to hew out for them- i selves a home for the future. The family came from English ancestry which could be traced to Ply- mouth Colony, Massachusetts, at an early period of its settlement, and which, in all the individuals whose history is recorded, has displayed distin- guishing characteristics of strength of mind, lofty aims and purposes, and energetic industry and un- yielding perseverance. Mr. Amasa Walker created out of his "patch in the woods " a good home, his son Cyrus aiding him in this until he readied man- hood, when, in December, 1822, he married Miss Anna Hulett, of Byron. They were an industrions, economical and hardy people, possessing sound judgment and sterling integrity, and as a result of their labors and economy they became a very suc- cessful and prosperous family. Mr. Cyrus Walker became largely interested in landed propertj', his active career being chiefly devoted to speculations in real estate and other property. Though a man of prominence and influence, he never inclined to public life and never held other than a few local offices. He and his wife died at Batavia not many years since, having made that beautiful country town their residence during the latter period of their life. Edward C. Walker, son of Cyrus, and the subject of this sketch, was the fifth and young- est child of his parents, and from his earliest child- hood proved to be of a studious and acquisitive nature. He was fortunate in having excellent early advantages toward the acquisition of a thorough education, and these he improved to the f idlest. His primary schooling was received at his native town of Byron, and he also studied at the Cary Seminary of Oakfield, and later pursued his studies at the Academy in Wilson, Niagara County. This was complemented by a course at Genessee College in Lima and in the Syracuse University, from which he graduated in June, 1861. He now studied law and was ad mitted to the bar in 18G2, having only passed one term in the Albany Law School, and yet successfully undergoing a rigid examination of three days' duration before the Court of Appeals, then in session at Albany. Mr. Walker immediately formed a law partnership with his brother-in-law, ex-Senator George Bowen, in Batavia, which was continued with success for four years when, his health having begun to fail owing to too close con- finement and application to his profession, he was compelled to abandon the law and adopt a vocation better calculated for his physical organism and temperament. He now entered upon a series of in- vestments and speculations in landed properties and in farms, banking, insurance and mercantile properties, which he has continued with marked financial success up to the present time. Mr. Walker's business career has not only been a success in a commercial point of view, evidencing exceptional ability in that direction, the legitimate product of sound judgment and keen foresight, but- it has also been characterized by a liberality and sense of honor and justice and an uncompromising integrity, which have endeared him to his fellow- citizens in a degree certainty most flattering to him. From early manhood Mr. Walker had evinced more or less interest in politics. From 18G2 he had been a citizen of Batavia, always active and energetic in promoting the general interest and aiding public improvements in the town, and also invariably nobly responsive to every demand of the cause of benevolence and charity. He has given much of his time to the service of public institutions and organizations for charitable objects, having been for many years Trustee of the New York Institution for the Blind, at Batavia, and of the Syracuse Uni- versity, and Trustee of Ingham University, at Le Roy, New York, and of the Young Men's Christian Association, at Batavia. In 1868 Mr. Walker was elected Member of Assembly from Genessee County,. A'lfS 0y J.fi.Ru* * Son*. A"*** ■ CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 233 and was Chairman of the Committee on Public Ed- ucation. In 18(59 he was unanimously nominated by the Republican party for Member of Assembly and was elected by a large majority. During this year he was given a place on the Committee on Public Education, and also on that on Banks and Banking. He interested himself particularly in the Normal School system of the State and did very good service in that direction. He was also on the Committee on Public Institutions. Aside from taking an active part in political campaigns and making liberal contributions towards the cause of Republicanism, Mr. Walker held aloof from politics for several years. In 1885 he was the Republican candidate for the Thirtieth Senatorial District, com - posed of the counties of Genessee, Livingston. Niag- ara and Wyoming, and was elected by nearly three thousand majority over his opponent, Mr. Higgins, of Lockport. In the State Senate he was honorably recognized by being appointed Chairman of the important Committees on Banks, and the Manufac- ture of Salt. He was also a member of the Com- mittees on Railroads, Insurance, and Engrossed Bills. In 1887 he was re-elected to the Senate by an increased plurality of eight hundred and fifty- nine over the previous election in 1885. In the Senate of 1889 he was Chairman of the Committee on Railroads, and a member of the Committee on General Laws and of several other committees. It also fell to the lot of Senator Walker to be placed on the Committee to investigate the corrupt ring which procured the Broadway Surface Railway deal in the city of New York. This Committee re- ceived general congratulations and encomiums for the manner in which its members acquitted them- selves of an onerous and most important public duty. In this Committee, Senator Walker labored earnestly and faithfully toward the accomplishment of the tinal result. As a legislator he has always proved himself a most industrious, earnest and inde- fatigable worker, having for his object invariably the best interests of the people. Among the bills which he introduced into the Senate that became laws, were many tending to improve the banking system of the State; the Motor Power Bill, author- izing street surface railroads to change from horse to any other power after obtaining the consent of a majority of the property owners on the proposed line and the consent of the Railroad Commissioners; and the bill which prevents assignees from giving to preferred creditors more than one-third of the estate. He also introduced a marriage license bill, tending to prevent ill-timed and hasty marriages, and also to provide a more perfect record for the purpose of tracing the estates of children. This bill passed the Senate twice and it is believed that it will yet become the law of the State. For his action with regard to this bill, Senator Walker has received complimentary letters from Bishop Doane and other prominent clergymen, and from eminent judges and well-known lawyers throughout the State, who thus give evidence of their appreciation of the importance of such a law. Senator Walker is known throughout his section of the State and respected as a man of sterling integrity and a judi- cious and faithful legislator. He is an excellent political organizer, and a forcible and logical speaker. In January, 1890, Senator Walker was selected by the Hon. William Windom, Secretary of the United States Treasury, one of three Com- missioners to locate the Government Building and Post Office in Buffalo. Referring to the social and moral side of the life of Senator Walker, his biog- rapher, who devotes himself in any just degree to an examination and sifting of the facts of his life, finds in him a most exemplary exponent of every- thing that is elevating and progressive in character and accomplishment. In his own city of Batavia, as has been already stated, he has been a most lib- j eral and yet judicious giver to everything of a charitable nature calculated to elevate the social and educational standards, and to advance the in- terests of young men and women more particularly. No organization tending in this direction, or benefi- cent society, has had to go without his aid if this I were applied for. His contributions to the cause I of religion and in aid of church charities and bene- factions have been most bountiful, irrespective of ! creed or denomination. Senator Walker was for many years one of the Commissioners of the Au- burn Theological Seminary, and has held impor- tant relations with many other religious institutions j not mentioned. He has been an active business 1 man in Batavia and very few, if any, have done more towards building up that city, both in an architectural and business sense. Mr. Walker was married, January 14, 1862, to Miss Martha L. Marsh of Massachusetts, and to them have been born two children, Edward C. Walker, and Raymond M. Walker. The extraordinary and most obvious fea- ture of Senator Walker's character, and that which has been most illustrated in his life, is the grasp of affairs which he has been able to accomplish with- out failure or lack of effective work in any direc- tion. So also to rightly estimate the characteristics of a growing city, and make investments with a view to that which will turn out successful, is illus- trative of a business power very unusual in connec- tion with the other qualities which Senator Walker possesses. His legislative career, filled with iutel- 234 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ligent interest in educational and financial affairs, gives the required evidence of the ethical side of his varied nature. That a man so interested in money-making and to a certain extent in party pol- itics, should devote himself to reforming and strengthening the laws in regard to the marriage relation, and those which govern and direct higher education in the State, is certainly a most sur- prising and most flattering testimonial to the catho- licity of his ability and character. In the introduc- tion and advocacy of a bill tending to reduce busi- ness dishonesty, as in the matter of the power of assignees, still another important element of character is illustrated in the case of Senator Walker. Altogether one can hardly leave the study of his life and of his varied activities without reaching the conclusion that here is a well-rounded nature, a vigorous intellect and a character faithful and earnest in the prosecution of duty. flLKESJON, SAMUEL, of Buffalo, was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1781, and died in the mountains of Tennessee in July, 1848. He was rjf Scotch Covenanter stock and of Scotch-Irish descent. Men of his name and race died fighting for religious freedom at Bothwell Bridge, in 1G79. The final defeat of the Covenanters exiled the family to the North of Ireland, whither they took with them their love of battle and devotion to Protestant liberty. Six Wilkesons were killed in the siege of Derry. The exiles had received their distributive portions of land in the Pale. Within less than a century the increase of the family exceeded the supporting power of its land and emigration became the only relief. Accordingly John Wilkeson and his wife, Mary Robinson, the father and mother of Samuel Wilkeson, came to America in 1760 and settled in Delaware. Impressed with the ideas of liberty which he had imbibed in his native laud, John Wilkeson hailed the struggle of the Revolution and the opposition to the British monarchy with delight, and when the war broke out he entered the army with the commission of a Lieutenant and fought until peace wa9 declared. What was left of his regiment at this period was camped at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where the subject of this sketch, literally a military product, was born. On the dis- banding of the army, John Wilkeson went with his family into Washington County, in Western Penn- sylvania, with a soldier's land warrant, and there he hewed a farm out of the wilderness. His son, in his very childhood, was held face to face with the battle of life on the American frontier, and had his character formed and tempered in that severest but manliest of schools. His education by teaching commenced in the nearest log school-house, and ended in juxt two weeks. Labor on his father's farm in the wilderness, until he was twenty-one years old, must have been performed in a heavy conflict with his sense of power, his ambitious aspirations, and his marvelous imagination. After his father's death, he married, and went to Southeastern Ohio and opened a farm for himself in another wilderness. As he was logging and burning one night, a sense I of the slowness and distance of reward, for his terri- ble toil, stopped his work. Before he resumed it, he had planned a change of employment and was a builder of keel boats, and a merchant, and a trans- porter. With him, to determine was to do. Soon he was master of vessels. The first of his vessels he built with his own hands, from timber trees grow- ing on the river bank, with no other tools than an axe, a wedge, a saw, an auger and a hammer. The beginning of the superb commerce of three thous- and ton vessels that now enter the harbor of Buffalo, was in these open boats, and salt was the prin- cipal freight. Sometimes he varied his traffic by the inland route with voyages to points up Lake Erie, but this lake trade was soon destroyed by the War of 1812. In the early part of this conflict, the American army, under General Harrison, was delayed in its advance to invade Canada by the failure of the contractor to provide transportation by boats. In this emergency Wilkeson was ap- pealed to by the Commander-in-Chief to give his army transportation. He consented, and quickly gathering a force of axemen and carpenters, he has- tened to the Grand River in Northern Ohio, attack- ed the timber growing on its banks, sawed, hewed, \ rived, framed and planked, and in a wonderfully short time, completed his transports and delivered them at Maumee within the conditions of his time contract. His family was'at Portland in Chautau- qua County. The British army was in march across the Niagara River from the Canada side. •Armed with a rifle, Wilkeson hurried to Buffalo with his regiment to get into the expected right. The battle was fought north of Black Rock and near the Conjockada creek. The militia was over- matched by Wellington's veterans, in numbers as well as effectiveness, and were thoroughly beaten. Buffalo was captured and burned. Wilkeson walked home to Chautauqua to his family. In the spring of 1814, while the war was yet in progress, he loaded a lake boat at Portland with the frames and cover- ing of a store and dwelling house, and, embarking his family, sailed to Buffalo, to settle there perma- i nently and do business as a merchant. He erected CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 235 his store on the corner of Main and Niagara Streets, and his dwelling on the east side of Main, south of Genessee Street. On the 14th of December, 1814, peace was proclaimed. Our army passed the win- ter in cantonment. In the spring of 1815, Buffalo, as the nearest town, naturally attracted and held a large number of the most lawless of the soldiers, as terrible in peace as in war. They instantly became a disturbing and dangerous social element, against which the citizens sought a summary remedy. They found it in persuading Samuel Wilkeson to accept the then important judicial office of Justice of the Peace. His discharge of the duties of a criminal magistrate is one of Buffalo's living tradi- tions. He was a terror to evil doers. A natural lawyer, impetuous, utterly fearless, hating wrong and loving right, looking in an instant through men as through glass, he smote the rascals and ruffians with terrible quickness and the utmost reach of the law. He flung the dangerous into jail, the turbu- lent and petit-larcenous he frightened out of town. He swept Buffalo clean of the lees of the war. Public opinion never reversed his judgments. In 1819 Mr. Wilkeson was a leading advocate of the construction of the Erie caual. An " association " of citizens had failed to comply with a law which authorized the State to loan to the village of Buffalo twelve thousand dollars with which to build a har- bor on the security of a bond in double the amount. This threatened the enterprise with ruin by a loss of the loan through a lapse of the law. Money was scarce, the times following the war being exceed- ingly hard. Every member of the Harbor Associa- tion became discouraged, and with the exception of Charles Townsend and Oliver Forward, refused to execute the required security. It was Buffalo's cri- sis. Judge Wilkeson stepped to the front and, with Townsend and Forward, agreed to give the State an approved bond in the penal sum of twent3'-five thousand dollars. The harbor loan was saved. In due time the work was begun. None of the three gentlemen who sustained the enterprise had any knowledge or experience with regard to the work of harbor building. Wilkeson had never even seen an artificial harbor, and had a valuable mer- cantile business which required his personal atten- tion. His two associates, however, were deter- mined that he should build that harbor, and they finally prevailed upon him to abandon his business and take charge of the construction. As a result the great structure was built in two hundred and twenty-one days. • The importance of this work could hardly be over-estimated. Indeed, it was so thoroughly recognized in Buffalo that on the panel of the square of granite covering the grave of I Samuel Wilkeson, which faces the harbor, is chiselled the epitaph " Vrbem Condidit." As a mat- ter of fact, he built the city of Buffalo by building its harbor. The Erie Caual was under construction —a water channel to connect Lake Erie with the At- lantic Ocean and make New York the market of the Lake basin and upper Mississippi Valley. The point at which the canal should receive the waters of the lakes was of triple consequence, to com- merce, to rival terminal interests and to State poli- tics. The government of the State wanted the best connection. The people of Black Rock wanted the canal to enter the Niagara River, somewhat be- low the head of that deep but rapid-revolving cur- rent. Buffalo claimed that the only possibility of a large and good harbor at the foot of the lakes, was in Buffalo Creek. Outside of these contestants, two active and one passive, reposed the Holland Land Company, indifferent through territorial exclusion from the water front by the State's reservation of the mile-wide strip of land on the Niagara River and on the lake shore to the foot of Genessee Street. Yet these foreign speculators in American land nursed in imagination a New Amsterdam, where Black Rock now is, and woidd probably have built it there, had they owned the ground,- As it was. they kept their hands away from every effort to make Buffalo the terminus of the canal, arguing that wherever the canal terminated, Black Rock or Buffalo, one of their town plats behind either ter- minus could surely enrich them. The building of the harbor saved the Holland Land Company's Buf- falo town plat for its proprietors, and gave speedy sale for all their lands in the county of Erie. The company never gave a dollar to the perilous enter- prise. The following from an eye-witness of this work, is a graphic picture of the situation and its results :* " As if it were only yesterday the writer c an re- member, being perched on his father's shoulder, as he waded across the mouth of Buffalo creek in superintendence of the crib-laying, and being star- tled by the bugle-toned power of the magnetic voice which gave commands to his men as he walked. It was a ford only waist deep to the tall man. Ships holding one hundred thousand bushels of grain, move under great sail where he caressingly carried a child. And as it were yesterday's sight, the writer recalls the large timber trees which fringed the lake north and south of the creek and the great elms, sycamores, black walnuts, bass- woods and oaks which threw shadows over the silent water-way, and east of Main Street became a forest on both its banks— a forest and a swamp, dense witli trees and all vegetable growth, extend- * The late Samuel Wilkeson, Jr., of New York— late Secre- tary of the Northern Pacific Kailway Company, detailed these facts. 236 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. ing from the bend of Niagara River, around by what is now the Terrace and Exchange Street, then the edge of a bin if which was once the wall of the lake; a swamp through which, south of the eminence, Main Street had been cut and corduroyed with immense lops painful to travel: a swamp, which west of the Ter- race and north and south of Court Street, was terri- ble to the writer, then a little child, as a black fast- ness, alive with serpents, turtles and frogs. The man who turned the severe work on the harbor into a joyous battle by wading the creek and labor- ing among his men in the water up to his waist, doubling their effectiveness with electric w ords and a judgment unerring and quick as lightning, that man changed the swamp into a populous and beau- tiful city; he built the harbor of Buffalo. Urbem Condidit. The harbor made the Buffalo creek the western terminus of the Erie canal. That made Buffalo the outlet of the commerce of the vast re- gion commercially dependent on the Great Lakes." The Canal Commissioners met in Buffalo in the summer of 1822, to decide finally where the Erie canal should terminate. Samuel Wilkeson present- ed the claim of Buffalo and argued it, using a map which he had made of the lower part of the lake, the creek and Niagara Kiver, and drawing witli prodigious effect on his thorough knowledge of the action of the winds, currents and waves on the waters connected with both the proposed termini. The celebrated DeWitt Clinton judicially summed up the case. The pleader for Black Rock was Gen- eral Peter B. Porter, and in the name and authority of the State, it was decided in favor of Buffalo. The canal was completed from the Hudson River to Lake Erie on the 26th of October, 1825. The beau- tiful and swift packet-boat, built of Lake Erie red cedar and named the " Seneca Chief," on which em- barked DeWitt Clinton and a committee of Buffalo's citizens, of which Samuel Wilkesou was Chairman, made the first passage through the entire length of the canal to tide-water, carrying with her a new cask filled with water from Lake Erie, and returning to Buffalo with a cask of sea water, thus marrying the inland lakes to the sea forever. In February, 1821, Wilkeson had been appointed first judge of the Erie Common Pleas. He had probably never held in his hand an elementary work on law, nor in any technical sense was he a lawyer : but he was a natural judge. His instantaneous insight, his com- prehensive common sense, dignity, intolerant hon- esty and wise imperativeness, carried him with com- plete credit through a third term. In 1824 Judge Wilkeson was elected to the State Senate and served in that body and in the Court for the Correc- tion of Errors for six years. In 1836 he was elected Mayor of Buffalo. During all this period of public service he had prosecuted different kinds of busi- ness with sagacity and energy. He had continued to be a merchant-forwarder on the lakes. As one of the contractors, he built a section of the Erie I Canal. He was a warehouseman and ship owner, built the first iron foundry in Buffalo, and started in that town its now enormous trade of manufacturing steam engines, stoves and hollow-ware. Previous to this, he had purchased a charcoal blast-furnace in Lake County, Ohio, where he established his sons, and he afterward erected a furnace in Mahoning I County r , in the same State — the first in this country to "blow in" on raw bituminous coal and to smelt iron with that fuel uncoked. Thus devoting himself to the public service and the municipal interests of the place where he had made his home, and still de- voting a large portion of his time to his private business interests, he was yet able to interest him- self deeply in politics and in the discussion of the problems which were at that time prominently be- fore the public mind. High up among these was the question of African slavery. The tidal wave of abolition was forming and had reached so far as to become a question on which thinking men were forced to take sides. Wilkeson opposed it. He be- lieved that the unconditional and immediate eman- cipation of the slaves would result in bringing i about the extermination of the latter by the whites, and an armed struggle between the North and South for the control of the Federal Government. He therefore favored a system of gradual and compen- sated emancipation, and advocated the colonization of the blacks on the west coast of Africa. He be- came so prominent in this question, as indeed he did in everything to which he gave his mind, that the control of the American Colonization Society was surrendered to him, and he removed to Wash- ington, and for two years edited the organ of the : society, " The African Repository." Here he prac- tically governed the Colony of Liberia, organized commerce with it from the ports of Baltimore and Philadelphia, gathered colonists wherever he could in the South and shipped them to the new Republic, and thus sought to build a sufficient break-water against the advancing tide of disorganization which was already threatening. But the struggle was not to be averted. Sentiment in both parts of the coun- try finally rejected colonization as a remedy for the acknowledged evil, and it was abandoned. The situations set forth in which Judge Wilkeson was placed in positions of command or of authority, were of sufficient importance, as is shown, to demonstrate his character as a man greatly above I the ordinary in capacity and in magnetic force. Among those who best knew him, he was recognized as a king among men. It was native to him to seize situations which required treatment, and to give orders. He was a born commander. Men obeyed G Pi/Wishing kEmjram CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 37 him without loss of self-respect. His right to direct was conceded. He moved masses of men, and did not excite jealousy. His knowledge of what was best to do was intuitive. He never came to a con- clusion by logical steps or by waiting. It is doubt- ful if he ever lost an opportunity. His knowledge was prodigious. His imagination was extraordin- arily rich. His humor was fine. Through all his life, men considered it a privilege to hear him talk. The graphic art with words was his. The great magnetic force of the man flashed over the wires of his talk, filling, kindling and lifting his listeners. Had he esteemed himself much, and been fond of applause, he would have been an irresistible orator. He was incorruptibly honest. His scorn of what was dishonorable, or mean, was grand. He had a dignity that all men respected, and felt was becom- ing. His courage was chivalric and complete, and down in the lion heart of the man, his friends found warmth and sympathy. Judge Wilkeson was mar- ried three times, his first wife being the mother of all his children. She was Jane Oram, the daughter of James Oram, a Scotch-Irish exile, who came to this country with Samuel Wilkeson's father, and with him fought through the War of the Revolution. Of Judge Wilkeson's six children — John, Elizabeth, Eli, W illiam, Louise and Samuel — only the oldest — John, is now living. His second wife was Sarah St. John of Buffalo, a woman of uncommon intellect and character. His third was Mary Peters of New Haven, Connecticut, who grew to high repute as an educator of girls. Judge Wilkeson's death at the time of ifs occurrence would almost have seemed to have been unnecessary. A man of magnificent physique and splendid general health, he caught a simple malady, at the first Chicago land sale, and this was maltreated by physicians, until at last it extended into an incurable organic disease. He died in July, 1848, in his sixty-seventh year, in a tavern in the Tennessee mountains. Noble in his life, he left behind him in his descendants, a splen- did and effective tribute to his memory. The cannonade against Fort Sumter, which opened the Southern rebellion, was not heard by this veteran, as he lay in his grave at " Forest Lawn." Eight of his grandsons heard it, and went into the Union army; three of them under age, two seven- teen years old, the other sixteen. Not one of the eight served on a general staff, in the department of transportation or supplies, or was ever placed on detail duty. Each and all were in the line and at the front. John Wilkes Wilkeson, oldest son of Judge Wilkeson's son John, was killed in the bloody battle of Seven Pines in command of Com- pany K, of the One Hundredth New York Infan- try. His courage was as perfect as his integrity. He was as pure as he was brave and true, steadfast and gentle. He was shot in the front. Bayard Wilkeson, the oldest son of Samuel, was killed in the first day's fighting at Gettysburg, commanding Battery G, of the Fourth United States Artillery, when only nineteen years, one month and fifteen days old. Though a mere boy, he had already served with his battery in and about Fortress Mon- roe and Norfolk, and taken part in the battle of Fredericksburg ; and he was recognized as so thor- ough a soldier and so good a commander, that his battery had the post of honor in the Eleventh Corps, the right of the line of inarch. HUTCHINSON, HON. CHARLES WEBSTER, a prominent citizen of Utica, Oneida County, New York, and formerly Mayor of that city, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, on July 4, 182G, in which city his parents were then temporari- ly residing. His birth took place at the residence of Major Samuel McClellan, who occupied the dwelling on the corner of School and Benefit Streets in that city. Mr. Hutchinson has been a resident of the city of Utica from the year following his birth, and there received his early education, under such prominent instructors as Thomas Towell, William Backus, William Williams, William C. Barrett, David Prentice, LL.D., George R. Perkins, LL.D. , and others. At the age of fifteen he entered the scientific department at Geneva College, devoting himself principally to these studies, and the modern languages. He was then appointed to a position as clerk in the office of the Syracuse and Utica Rail- road Company at Utica. He resigned this position in the year 1847, having been appointed teller of the Fort Plain Bank, and acted for the three subsequent years in that capacity. Returning to Utica, he as- sumed charge of the combined interests of his father and the Hon. Horatio Seymour in the manufactur- ing firm of E. K. Browning & Co., but after a few months he took charge under his own name, and devoted himself to its interests until the autumn of the year 1865, when he disposed of the business and went to Europe with his wife, passing between two and three years in travel upon the continent, and a winter in Africa and Egypt, returning to Italy by the Mediterranean and Sicily. Upon his return home to Utica he took an active interest in matters of a public character, and for several years was a Director of the Utica Mechanics' Association. He was Vice-President and presiding officer of the New York State Sportman's Association for several years 2*8 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. from its organization, and was a member, of the first committee who presented a revision of the game laws to the Legislature of this State, which were adopted, and in the year 1871 he was elected its President. He was elected Mayor of the city of Utica in the year 1875, and during his term of office a number of important local measures were succes- fully inaugurated and completed. Several artistic fountains were erected in the public parks, and the latter beautified and reclaimed from their former neglected condition: several culverts were built, and the work of filling the streets over them was rapidly pushed forward, the benefits of which were soon proved, by the rapid improvements and growth of the easterly part of the city. His administration was marked by a judicious economy in public ex- penditures, and many improvements were inaugu- rated, to the ultimate advancement of the interests of the city r . The year of his Mayorality, being nota- ble as the Centennial year, it was a period which brought into more than ordinary prominence the local executive officials throughout the country. During that year the citizens of Utica extended the hospitalities of the city for the Ninth Annual Reun- ion of the Army of the Cumberland, which invita- tion was accepted for the dates of September loth and 16th. Mayor Hutchinson, in his official capacity as Chief Magistrate, made the address of welcome in the Opera House, and addresses were also delivered by Hon. Horatio Seymour, Hon. Koscoe Conkliug and other citizens. Among those present were President Grant, Vice-President Henry Wilson, several members of the National Cabinet, and Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, while the Army was represented by General Sher- man and his staff, and Generals Joseph Hooker, H. W. Slocum, H. A. Barnum, J. G. Parkhurst, Henry M. Cist, Daniel Butterfield, J. S. Fullerton, David S. Stanley, A. G. McCook, James McQuade, J. B. Kiddoo and Wheaton, and many other distinguished Union commanders. His Excel- lency, Governor Samuel J. Tilden was the guest of Mr. Hutchinson, and with him were many other prominent State officials, constituting altogether one of the most distinguished gatherings of Na- tional and State dignitaries ever assembled out- side of the capital of the Nation. The reunion was a grand success, and was fully appreciated by all the delegates and guests who were in attendance, and they expressed the highest gratification at the at- tention shown them by the citizens, and their liber- ality of entertainment and generous hospitality. Railroad trains and other modes of conveyance were kept at the free disposal of the visitors, and Trenton Falls, the Armory at Ilion, the cotton fac- tories and other industries of the city, and New York Mills and adjoining villages were visited. The reunion closed with a reception and ball at the Opera House, President Grant and Governor Til- den receiving in the proscenium boxes. One of the guests wrote of it as follows: "No notice of this event, written at the late hour required by the cir- cumstances, can do justice to its elegance and suc- cess in even' particular. Each succeeding moment seemed to be more and more enjoyable, and the cul- mination was a grand triumph. Nothing of the kind ever before attempted in this city or vicinity, has equalled it ; it reflected the greatest credit upon the city and the good people who tendered it with the most perfect cordiality to their honored guests, the brave men of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland. It will be a long time ere the bright dream will be forgotten." Mr. Hutchinson was prominent in organizing The Utica Park Associa- tion, and was its President from its incorporation in the year 1872 until 1889, excepting three terms, when other matters engrossing his attention, he de- clined an election. This park property was esti- mated to have cost over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but it was sold by him to the State Masonic Home, in the year 1889, for the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars. To this noble charity in which, as a Mason, Mr. Hutchinson was deeply interested, he donated toward this purchase price the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. Asa Mason, he is a member of Utica Lodge, Oneida Chap- ter, Utica Commandery of Knights Templar, and Yah- nun-dali-sis Lodge of Perfection, and has taken the 32d Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in Cosmopolitan Consistory of New York. He is also prominent in the Order of Odd Fellows and now holds the position of Chief of Equipment of the Patriarchs Militant Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the department of the Atlantic. Mr. Hutchinson was one of the organizers of The Oneida Historical Society, of which the late Hon. Horatio Seymour was President from its founding in the year 1876 until his death. During this period he was First Vice-President and acting President of the society, and is one of the Board of Councillors, and at present holds the same positions. He has delivered several addresses before the society upon subjects relating to the early history of the Mohawk Valley, and was a member of the committee of five who selected the design and erected the monument commemorating the Battle of Oriskan}", August 6, 1777. He is also a corresponding member of a num- ber of historical societies. For many years he has devoted a portion of his leisure to the studies of ethnology, history, and allied subjects, and his CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 39 library is large and valuable in rare books, in both English and foreign languages. One of his favorite subjects of stud}- is Indianology, particularly relat- • ing to the Iroquois or tribes of the Six Nations. His cabinet of Indian curios and relics is one of the most noted in the State, and was exhibited at the Bartholdi Exhibition in New York, at the Albany Bi-Centennial, and at the International Fair in 1888, held at Buffalo. Mr. Hutchinson, in apprecia- tion of the warm interest he has taken in matters relating to the condition and welfare of the Iroquois, was adopted by them, and given the name of " Gy-ant-wa-ka " (The Cornplanter) by a council of the Senecas, on their reservation, June 15, 1885. Among the corporate positions held by him, was that of President of the Utica and Mohawk Bail- road Company, and he ultimately bee ame the owner of that road. He is also President of the Central New York Agricultural Association, and is a Trus- tee of the Holland Trust Company of New York City. He was elected a vestryman of Trinity Church, Utica, in the year 1861, and warden in the year 1887. This church is one of the oldest Episco- pal churches in the western part of this State, hav- ing been organized May 24, A.D.,1803, and incor- porated August 14, 1804. He is largely interested in real estate and the manufacturing interests of the city of his residence, and is sanguine of a rapid and prosperous development of its great natural re- sources in the near future. Mr. Hutchinson was married October 9, 1851, by the Bt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, the present bishop of Bhode Island, to Miss Laura Clark Beckwith, the eldest daughter of the late Alonzo S. Beckwith, a prominent citizen of Hartford, Connecticut. She died April 11, 1883, leaving no children. Mrs. Hutchinson was active and generous in all charitable works, and her sister and herself were the " two founders " of that be- nevolent institution " The House of the Good Shep- herd" whose mission is the care of little children. Mr. Hutchinson's father, Holmes Hutchinson, was an eminent civil engineer, and was a son of Ama- ziah Hutchinson and Elizabeth Mack. He was born at Genoa, Cayuga County, New York, January 5, 1794, and removed to Utica in the year 1819, and was almost constantly employed as an engineer upon the Erie Canal and its enlargement, and other canals of the State from that date until 1835, when he was appointed Chief Engineer of the middle di- vision, which position he held until the year 1841. During this period he made the maps and surveys of the Erie Canal from Canastota to the Hudson Biver, also of the Black River, Cayuga, Crooked Lake, Chemung and Seneca Canals, the Glens Falls Feeder, and the Rochester Aqueduct, also of a pro- posed canal on Long Island, uniting Jamaica Bay with Rockaway Inlet. His report, dated March, 1826, says "that constructing nine miles of canal through the inland bays form a continuous naviga- tion from Sag Harbor to the city of New York, a distance of one hundred and fifteen miles " and he recommended its construction. In L889, after a lapse of sixty-three years, this project has again been brought into prominence. In the year 1825 he was engaged as Chief Engineer by the Connecticut River Company upon the recommendation of Gov- ernor De Witt Clinton of New York to survey a route of water communication from Barnet, in the State of Vermont, to the city of Hartford, Connecti- cut, a distance of two hundred and nineteen miles. Upon receiving his report the Directors of the com- pany by resolution said " that Mr. Hutchinson has fully justified their high wrought anticipations." In tin- year 1826 he was appointed by the authorities of the State of Rhode Island, Chief Engineer of the construction of the Blackstone Canal from Worces- ter, Massachusetts, to the city of Providence. In 1828 lie was Chief Engineer of the construction of the Oxford and Cumberland Canal in the State of Maine. He married, February 15, 1824, Maria Abeel Webster, the second daughter of Joshua Webster, M.D., of Fort Plain, New York, who was one of the most prominent among the early physicians of the Moha wk Valley. Doctor Webster was a lineal de- scendant of Thomas Webster of Ipswich, England, and was a sou of John Webster, of Scarboro, in the State of Maine. He was surgeon of the One hun- dred and thirty-eighth Regiment New York State Volunteers during the War of 1812, and was a mem- ber of the State Legislature in the year 1822. Doc- tor Webster married Catharine Wagner, whose mother was the (laughter of John Abeel, the Indian trader, whose father, Johannes Abeel, resided in Albany, ami was Recorder and Mayor of thai city during the years 1694 and 1695 and also during 1709 and 1710. He was also one of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs from the years 1706 to 1710. Mrs. Webster's grandfather was Colonel Johan Peter Wagner, who, with William Fox, had the distinc- tion of being the first two of the Palatinates who settled in the Mohawk Valley easterly of the Garoga Creek, in the town of Palatine, in the year 1723. The Colonel's oldest son, also Johan Peter, was a member of the Committee of Safety during the Re- volution, and was Lieutenant-Colonel in the regi- ment of Colonel Cox, at the battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777, in which battle two of his sons, Jo- han Georgand Johan Jost, and live members of the Wagner family were also engaged. After General Herkimer was wounded and Colonel Ebenezer 240 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Cox was killed, tradition says that Colonel Wagner took command of the brigade, which resulted in the victory so decisive for the American forces. Mr. Hutchinson was prominent in many of the early en- terprises in the State ; was one of the original Di- rectors of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad, also of the Lake Ontario Steamboat Company, also of the Bank of Utica and other corporations, and was for some years the President of the Syracuse and Os- wego Railroad. He was quiet in his demeanor and courteous in speech and manner, and all who were brought into contact with him accorded him their respect and esteem, and acknowledged his high sense of honor and scrupulous integrity. He died suddenly at his residence in the city of Utica, Feb- ruary 21, 1865, aged seventy-one years. The records and traditions of the Hutchinson family are that "the founder of this old family is traced back to the tenth century and came from Cranborg in the Danish Island of Zealand, with Harold Harefoot, and he was then designated in Latin " Uitonensis" meaning a native of Witton. The family settled in England at or near Middleham, in the Bishopric of Durham, and they were free tenants of the Prince Bishops of that manor, particularly Cornforth and Humb'er Knowles, after the Conquest. Eleazar Hutchinson, the ancestor of this branch of the family, came to America in the year 1633, and after- wards settled at Lebanon, now Andover, Connecti- cut. There were four of this name in direct de- scent. Eleazar the second married Ruth Long. They had seven children, Amaziah, the father of Holmes Hutchinson, being the third son, who was born December 14, 1762. He married Elizabeth Mack March 30, 1791. They had teu children, Holmes being the second son. His mother's grand- mother was Sybella Browne, the only daughter of Sir John Browne, Viscount Montaigne, of London- derry, Ireland, who married John Mack, who, with his wife and William, his son, came from the town of Armagh to America in the year 1732, and settled at Londonderry, New Hampshire. JONES, HON. WILLIAM MARTIN, an eminent lawyer of Rochester, prominent for many years as a leading worker in the cause of temperance, and in 1888 the candidate of the Prohibition party for the office of Governor of the State of New York, was born in Onondaga County, New York, July 24, 1841. He is the son of Thomas P. and Lodoiska Jones. The former, who died in 1880, was a native of South Wales, and belonged to an old and highly respected family of one of the most historically in- teresting and picturesque sections of that country. In crossing the ocean, when quite a young man, he left behind him family, friends and position. Never- theless he retained a deep affection for the land of his birth, and recrossed the Atlantic several times to visit the old homestead. Mrs. Jones, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born at Crown Point, New York, and is still living. She is a mem- ber of the Butler family, so well known in local and historical annals. Her grandfather was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were people of intelligence and integrity. From them their son inherited no wealth — as they pos- sessed little of this world's goods — but he did inherit from them that high moral character, unyielding fixity of purpose and manly perseverance, which, with maturity and opportunity, have brought him a competence, distinguished social position, and en- viable honors. He was a young child when his parents removed from his birthplace to Monroe County, and a boy of tender years when they made a second removal, to Knowlesville, in Orleans County. When but seven years of age he was prostrated by a severe attack of scarlet fever, and the robust con- stitution he inherited from a long line of sturdy an- cestors was so shattered by the inroads of this disease, and an accident that occurred about the same time, that until his thirteenth year his physi- cal condition was the source of constant anxiety to his affectionate and devoted parents. When health permitted, he attended the village school, and, so far from failing to take advantage of his limited op- portunities, regretted that they were not greater. He also followed the practice, usual among village boys, of doing odd jobs for whatever reasonable compensation the employment would bring, and, neglecting no opportunity of adding to his small earnings, was from time to time employed at wages which, compared with what boys receive for ser- vices these days, were marvelously small. As he sometimes laughingly asserts, he held a " Govern- ment position " before he was out of his teens. It was indeed, an humble one, but he discharged its duties — carrying the United States mail on his back, twice a day, from the village post office to the railroad station, a mile distant — with punctual- ity and fidelity, being cheered in his task by the thought that the money which its performance brought him and which he was saving carefully, was so much toward enabling him to secure the higher education which he craved. At the village school he not only made his mark as a pupil, but so- impressed the trustees with his ability to teach, that, having dismissed the former instructor, they offered the place to him. But he was desirous of securing CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 4 I a thoroughly classical education, and being warmly seconded in his views by his parents, who had made and were still willing to make sacrifices in his be- half, he respectfully declined the flattering offer, and soon after entered the Albion Academy, where he began to fit himself for admission to Yale Col- lege. He had been but a year in this excellent school, when, on invitation, he accepted a position in it as assistant teacher, and was engaged with his classes when the Civil War opened. He finished his preparation for college at a preparatory school in New Haven, Connecticut, but never entered col- lege. Two of his older brothers were among the first who responded to the call for volunteers in the defense of the Union, and it was not a great while before he himself was mingling in scenes and events which have entered into the history of his country. He became acquainted with Major-Gen- eral Edwin D. Morgan, " The War Governor" of New York, soon after his election to the Senate of the United States, and for two years Mr. Jones was with him in Washington as his Private Secretary. Mr. Jones was introduced at the Government De- partments by the eminent Senator, with the request that he should be accorded the same privileges and courtesies when, he called, as the Senator himself. These duties brought Mr. Jones into more or less in- timate relations with the great men who figured in the stirring scenes of those days, and he still cher- ishes many pleasant reminiscences of personal con- tact with such men as President Lincoln, Secretary Seward, Secretary Stanton, Secretary Chase and other distinguished characters of that epoch. His acquaintance with Secretary- Seward ripened into intimacy, and after the adjournment of Congress in 18(>4, he filled the position of Private Secretary to William H. Seward and his son, Frederick A. Sew- ard, in the Department of State for several weeks, and until his efficiency won for him the promotion to the post of Chief Clerk of the Consular Bureau. One who knew him at this period of his life writes : ''A position of such magnitude at such a critical time, brought a discipline to the boy still pushing for a college course, which has been invaluable during his subsequent life. His youth, coupled witli his anxious desire to meet all the requirements of this high position, which had theretofore always been filled by men of greater age and wider experience, told heavily upon his strength. Many a time he counted the strokes of the old State Department clock as they indicated the hour of midnight, or one or two in the morning, while he sat by his desk writing official despatches containing instructions to go by the morning's mail, to Government Consuls, located nearly all over the world, watching rebel blockade runners, and guarding the interests of our nation under alien skies." In 1866, the war ended, and wearied out with hard [ work, and a severe attack of typhoid fever, Mr. Jones resigned his position, and was immediately appointed by President Johnson to be United States Consul at Clifton, Canada, which appointment was promptly confirmed by the Senate. By this lime ii had become necessary for him to relinquish his cherished hope, that of a thorough classical course at college, but he had enjoyed opportunities and ad- vantages which went far to compensate him for that loss. He bore with him to his new position the heartiest expressions of confidence and esteem, from the heads of the different departments of Govern- ment, and had the satisfaction of knowing that al- though the youngest and most inexperienced man who had ever held the position he then vacated, he bad performed its duties faithfully and to the ap- proval of the eminent statesman who, more than any other man aside from the President himself, had shaped the policy of the administration of Abraham Lincoln during the trying ordeal of the Southern Rebellion. Mr. Jones remained in the Consulship at Clifton exactly five years, and until 1871. During the comparative leisure of these five years he read law, and upon his retirement from of- fice, established himself, at Rochester, New York, was admitted to the bar and entered upon the prac- tice of his profession. He soon demonstrated his ability as a lawyer and in a few years rose to a position of eminence among his colleagues. His practice increased in proportion as his reputation rose, and is to-day one of the best in the city. His offices at Rochester are models of convenience and are well supplied with an extensive law library, and the most competent assistants. Mr. Jones is by na- ture an idtra and aggressive temperance man. From his infancy he has been a total abstainer. Be became a Cadet of Temperance at the age of ten years, and later in life joined the Sous of Temper- ance. In 1867 he entered the Order of Good Tem- plars, and two years later was a delegate at the session of the Grand Lodge of that organization held at Rochester. Since that time he has attended nearly every session of that body, and many ses- sions of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, the Inter- national body of which he is now the Treasurer, Mr. Jones has never sought official standing in the Order, but his eminent personal worth and earnest services have been honored by his election to fill some of the highest positions in its power to bestow. In 187!) he was elected Grand Counselor of New York, and three months afterwards succeeded to the office of Grand Chief Templar, (his predecessor, Andrew S. Draper, having resigned to take his seat in the New York State Legislature,) and was re- elected to the office four consecutive years. In 1885, 242 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. at the annual session of the Grand Lodge, held at Schenectady, he was renominated for the sixth term by acclamation, but peremptorily declined, to the great sorrow of the hundreds of delegates present. As an influential member of the Grand and Right Worthy Grand Lodges, he has been instrumental in advancing and in seeing successfully carried for- ward, plans for the benefit of the Order, all over the world. The Official Organ, a monthly publication of the Order of Good Templars in the State of New York, was established and edited by him from his offices in Rochester, from 1881 to 1885. Mr. Jones has always had the courage of his convictions. A rigid observer all his life of the triple pledge — for- swearing liquor, tobacco and profanity — he believed for many years that the interests of temperance could be best subserved by moral suasion and the support received from the Republican party — the party for which he had thrown his first vote, and in which, after years of earnest effort in advocacy of its principles, lie had achieved a certain degree of prominence. After the failure of the Republican party to redeem pledges made at the Richfield Springs Convention in 1882, he became convinced that the prohibition of the liquor traffic could not be obtained through this party under its dominant management. He then threw the weight of his in- fluence and support into the Third Party movement, and as one of its unflinching members ran for office on its tickets at a time when to do so was to invite only ridicule and persecution. In 1885 he received the Prohibition party nomination for Attorney-Gen- eral of the State of New York. He had already commended himself highly to Prohibitionists through his remarkable success in hundreds of suits he had conducted in the State; and his nomination by ac- clamation at one of the largest temperance conven- tions ever assembled^ was hailed with delight by friends of the cause everywhere. His letter of ac- ceptance was a document of strength and effective- ness. It was also a reply to an invitation from a so-called Temperance Assembby to the State Com- mittee, asking the withdrawal of Mr. Jones, on the ground that the Republican party had nominated a temperance man for Attorney-General, and that Mr. Jones' vote would endanger his prospects for an election. In it he declared that he had never sought preferment in the party and now accepted the nomination offered him, simply from a sense of duty. The closing paragraph of this letter has the true ring of earnestness and reform, and is here quoted as an eloquent exposition of the views of its writer: "Recognizing the fact, as I believe all members of the Prohibition party do, that to the rum traffic and its surrounding influences, is due a very large percentage of the crimes that are visited upon com- munities, I believe that the extermination of such iniquity will be accomplished in this State and Nation only through thoroughly organized State and National political effort. The party that seeks the accomplishment of this purpose is not by any means a new one, although it comes before the peo- ple of the present generation under a new name. It is the party that has bared its breast to the foe for more than two thousand years in the defense of the principles of right and justice and of the homes of the people. It is true it has met with reverses, but it has been victorious in the end. It was that party that stood in the pass at Thermopylae, and. although there was scarcely one left to tell the story, that bat- tle was not a lost battle : but it has borne fruit through the generations that followed it, and is yet bearing fruit to the people of the world. Many bat- tles have been lost that we feel ought to have been won. Much precious blood has been spilled that seemed to bring no recompense. And man} - valua- ble lives have gone down in gloom that in our phil- osophy we feef ought to have set in an effulgence of glory. But those battles have not been fought in vain. That precious blood has not been allowed to be wasted. And those lives that have passed under clouds here have only disappeared temporarily to rise where clouds will never obscure the heavenly light that will encircle them through an eternity. I j count it nothing to stand in the pass at Thermopy- i lae, and to go down fighting for the cause of humau- ity. And although I may be first to fall in the strug- gle that is going on in the imperial State of New York to-day in the defense of the homes of our commonwealth, I shall, if it be thought to be my duty, regard it a pleasure to hold up the standard of the party of the people and to pass it on to those that shall follow me, unstained by any act of dis- honor or tainted with selfish or ambitious purposes. Whether it shall be deemed wise that I shall continue J to aid in carrying the banner for prohibition in the great State of New York during the campaign of 1885, or not, will not change in the remotest my purpose never to cease the contest for 'God and Home and Native Land ' while there remains a dramshop between the oceans." Apart from his prohibition principles, Mr. Jones j possessed eminent qualifications for the office of At- torney-General. The high order of his legal attain- ments was indisputable, and his experience covered a wide range. Besides this he was well known all over the State, was personally very popular and his affiliations were absolutely untainted. All of which was evident from the fact that he polled a vote in the campaign which represented a notable accession to the ranks of his party, drawn mainly from "the bet- ter element" of his fellow citizens. In 1888, Mr. Jones received from his party the distinguished honor of the nomination for Governor of the State of New York. In the campaign which followed — one of the most spirited political contests ever waged in the State — Mr. Jones took an active part and ad- dressed large meetings in nearly every county in the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 243 State. His opponents for the office of Governor were Hon. Warner Miller, the Republican candidate, who made a lively canvass on the high license plat- form for the avowed purpose, as he stated after the election was over, of keeping dowu the prohibition vote ; and Governor David B. Hill, the successful candidate of the Democratic party for re-election, who made an equally energetic canvass of the State, on the old Democratic anti-sumptuary platform. Mr. Jones, whose enthusiastic support of true tem- perance principles had endeared him to many of the best citizens of the State, polled thirty thousand two hundred and fifteen votes, running ahead of the National ticket. This flattering endorsement proved not only the strength of the principles for which he stood the principal standard bearer in the State, but also the high appreciation of his personal fitness for the executive office entertained by some of the most worthy citizens of the State. On July 5, 1871, Mr. Jones married Miss Gertrude M. Nicholls, daughter of Mr. Abram Nicholls, of Monroe County, New York, who died when she was a child. After sev- eral months of travel in Europe and different sec- tions of the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Jones settled in Rochester, where they have since resided. Mrs. Jones is a lady of education and refinement as well as a woman of great kindness of heart, and is a worthy helpmeet of a worthy husband. Four chil- dren have blessed this marriage, of whom three sur- vive : two boys and a girl. Mr. Jones' character has been admirably summed up in the following para- graph which is quoted from the Good Templars' Gem, published in New York some ten years ago. It is from the pen of a gentleman now high in offi- cial position in New York State: "W. Martin Jones is one of nature's noblemen. He has opinions, and he utters them; he forms con- victions and he stands by them. He never hedges or trims for the sake of policy or expediency, but he never forgets to be a gentleman. He is a model husband and father. He is an .able lawyer, with a large practice, but he gives his time liberally and uses all his force and strength of character to pro- mote the interests of our Order and advance the cause of temperance as a matter of principle and duty." EVANS, HON. ISAAC J., County Judge of Oneida County, and a prominent citizen and lawyer of Rome, New York, was born at Oriskany, Oneida County, New York, July 20, 1853. His parents. William and Jane Evans, natives of Wales, are still living and are among the most respected residents of Rome, in which city his three brothers also reside. One of the latter, Edwin Evans, M.D. is a prominent practitioner of medicine in that city. (See following biography.) Another, David G. Evans, was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1881, and the third, Griffith Evans, is a prosperous merchant. The subject of this sketch was educated at Whitestown Seminary, in Whites- town, New York, one of the first institutions for classical training in this State. Later, he received instruction for some time at Cornell University. He was an earnest, diligent and careful student, and his close application and eager search for knowledge led him, at this early age, to lose no opportunity for advancement, but to sound the full gamut of the subjects he sought to master. From his youth, lie had shown a marked predilection for the legal profession. His instincts naturally bent to this pursuit. Consequently, in 1874 he began the regular course of study at the Albany Law School. At the end of two years he was graduated with the usual diploma His brief professional life has demonstrated how deeply, broadly and solidly he laid the foundation of his discipline in the princi- ples of the law. When admitted to the bar, Mr. Evans brought to his chosen profession all the requisites of a jurist. Selecting Rome as the field for his labors, he opened an office in that city, and applied himself with diligence to all kinds of legal work. " It was not long," says a contemporary writer, " before his extraordinary abilities and re- markable talents were observed and appreciated. Clients came to him and a lucrative practice was soon acquired " His keen legal acumen found chance to assert itself. Conjoined with his grace of person, his fluency and charm of speech, his adaptability to forensic discussion and his breadth of learning, — it won him exceptional recognition. His practice in a few years extended to all parts of the county and the young lawyer became rated among the foremost members of the Oneida bar. In 1883 he was honored by the Republicans with the nomination for Special Judge of Oneida County — his peculiar fitness for the bench being admitted by all. He was elected by a handsome majority, and entered upon the duties of the office on the 1st day of January, 1884. Rarely has one so young been called upon to assume such onerous duties as it became his lot to perform. His senior on the bench, County Judge William B. Sutton, being unavoidably absent through illness for the greater portion of two 3 r ears, during that entire period the duties of this official devolved upon Mr. Evans, in addition to his own. This trying task he performed with signal ability and to the satisfaction of the people of the county, who were warm in their com- mendation of his judicial fairness and impartiality. 244 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. His former colleagues at the bar acknowledged his high talent as a lawgiver, and approved his fidelity, characteristic energy, sound analysis, and careful discrimination. Before his elevation to the bench, he had already made a reputation as a successful trial lawyer. In the fall of 188G, with the warmth of unquestioned confidence, his friends pressed Ids name forward in the Republican Count}* Conven- tion as that of a candidate for the office of County Judge of Oneida Count}'. His rival in the conven- tion for the nomination was the Hon. William A. Matteson, of Utica, New York — at that time the popular and efficient District Attorney of the County — over whom he was successful. The oppos- ing candidate — the Democratic nominee — was the Hon. Alexander T. Goodwin, of Utica. On the day of election, Mr. Evans went to the polls witli the approval of hundreds of the best citizens of both the leading political parties, and when the ballots were counted and the result declared, it was found that he was elected by a majority of eleven hundred and eighty-seven votes over his able and popular opponent. This was flattering preferment, for Mr. Evans was at that time only thirty-three years of age. The victory was all the more remarkable from the fact that he received a plurality of seven hundred and sixty-four votes in the city of Rome, where he resides, while at the preceding election, John D. McMahon, the Democratic nominee for Recorder, was chosen over a strong Republican opponent by a plurality of over nine hundred votes, and the city is naturally Democratic by nearly five hundred votes. On January 1, 1887, Mr. Evans dunned the judicial ermine, and has worn it with becoming modesty, rare tact, wise and sound dis- cretion, ever since. Judge Evans' admirable ad- ministration of the Oneida County Judgeship has greatly strengthened the already high estimation in which his talents and abilities were held. ''His ready and clean analysis of questions of extreme nicety and difficult problems of law have won him the golden opinions of the bar " of Oneida County, while bis graceful personal characteristics, cour- tesy, forbearance, and patience have earned him the meed of popular praise and appreciation. In his judicial capacity, his decisions are embodiments of his learning, his tireless research, close analysis and logical application of precedents. He is famil- iar with the rules of American and English juris- prudence. He is an explorer of the authorities. He pioneers for principles, and seeks the beginning and the foundation upon which to base and build an opinion. He is possessed of fine sensibilities and is totally lacking in arbitrariness or that ostentation which so ill befits judicial incum- bency. Apropos of these comments upon the ability and fitness which has been displayed by Judge Evans on the bench in Oneida County, it is no small tribute to the estimation in which the advocates and citizens hold his high and deserving qualities and his ready, correct and decisive disposal of ambiguous and perplexing legal problems, that he has been on many occasions called into other counties of the State to preside at important trials. Notably among these was the trial of Alonzo Bradt, at Johnstown, Fulton County, New York, for manslaughter in the first degree in killing one Lyman Shaul, in October, 1887 ; and that of Captain David Boyd, at Oswego in January, 1890, for a similar charge, in killing Lorenzo Hayes, at Mexico, Oswego County, in September, 1889. In | each of these cases and in all others which it has j been his province to try outside of the county of his home, he has added new laurels and gained new lustre. His equitable rulings, and his un- biased and impartial manner were noted with pleas- ure and admiration. The press gave him the un- sought honor of very complimentary and eulogistic articles, while the bar of each of these several coun- ties has extended to him the unusual plaudit : " He I is typical in every sense of the office he represents." For a number of years, Judge Evans has been the senior member and head of the well known law firm of Evans, Watters & Olney, of Borne. His associates in this firm — Thomas E. Watters, Esq., and James P. Olney, Esq., — are lawyers of ac- knowledged character and ability and hold positions among the brightest and ablest members of the Oneida bar. The practice of this firm extends far beyond the boundaries of the county. Judge Evans is a man of scholarly tastes, a dilettante, and an earn- j est student of the classics. He has a fine library, both general and professional. A great portion of his time, not occupied by judicial duties, is spent in the cloisters of his study, in the perusal of the works of the most chaste and refined authors. In personality. Judge Evans is a pleasing figure. His stature is above the medium. He is solidly built, of good height, and of erect carriage. His fine physique is set off by a handsome face — of the an- tique mould — with firm chin, aquiline nose, mas- ; sive brow, and dark gray eyes. His hair is black and abundant. His face is adorned with a dark mustache. Judge Evans w T as married on April 7, 1880, to Miss Ella S. Williams, of Verona, who died February 15, 1883, leaving one son, the fruit of their union, who is now in school. On July 3, 1889, Judge Evans was married to Miss Annie Elizabeth Fulton, daughter of Alfred Fulton, of Hogansburgh, I New York. This lady, in whom all the virtues of CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 45 true womanhood were personified, died very sud- denly on December 18, 1889, while her husband was engaged in holding a session of court in Utica. Her loss was an unexpected and severe blow to her devoted husband. Judge Evans is a man of mod- erate habits, and his private life is exemplary. He is a shrewd politician, but not an offensive partisan. He is very sociable, and, therefore, popular with all classes. Undoubtedly, he has not yet reached the zenitli of his professional career. EVANS, EDWIN, M.D., a prominent citizen and physician of Rome, was born at Whitestown, Oneida County, New York, March 25, 1845. His parents were William and Jane Evans, natives of Wales, who came to America about the year 1844. The subject of this sketch was one of five children. In his boyhood he made excellent use of the educational facilities of his native place, attend- ing first, for several 3'ears, the local common schools and afterwards finishing his course at the White- stone Seminary. Becoming interested in medicine through the perusal of some popular medical books, he decided to enter that profession, and in 18(57, matriculated at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in New York City. His scientific studies proved extremely congenial, and his progress was so rapid that in 1870 he was graduated with honor, and received the degree and diploma of Doctor of Medicine. After familiarizing himself with the actual treatment of disease by a brief sojourn at the various New York hospitals, he began the active practice of his profession at Home, New York, where he has continued to reside up to the present day. Devoted to his calling, his advance was rapid and he soon gained an excellent and remunerative practice. His standing among his professional brethren is shown by his election, in 1880, to the Presidency of the Oneida County Medical Society, of which he had been a member since 1871. He is also a prominent member of the New York Medical Society, and of the United States Medical Associa- tion. Since 1875 he has been physician to the Onei- da County Asylum and Almshouse. In politics Dr. Evans has always been a Republican, and in 1885 he was nominated by his fellow-citizens of that party for the office of Mayor at Rome. His great political strength and wide personal popularity are attested by the fact that he was defeated by only one hundred and twenty-eight votes, in a city where the usual Democratic majority is much greater. Dr. Evans is a member and Steward of the First Methodist Church, and is active in promoting re- ligious and charitable work. For some years past he has been prominent in the Masonic Fraternity, and at present is Eminent Commander of Home Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar. Emi- nently successful in his profession and noted for his public spirit and interest in the welfare of his fel- low-citizens, he is likewise esteemed in all circles for his agreeable personal qualities and high worth as a man. He married, in 1872, Miss Etta S. Gregg, daughter of the Rev. A. B. and Susan L. Gregg, of Utica, New York. He has two children. MCMAHON, HON. JOHN DANIEL, Recorder of Rome, was born at Toronto, Ontario, (then Canada West), on January 28, 1859. He is the sou of Daniel McMahon, a native of County Clare, Ireland, and of Alice Cavanaugh, his wife, the latter a native of Florence, Oneida County, New York. At the last named place the subject of this sketch spent his early youth, and attended the dis- trict school. Thence he passed to the Free Acad- emy at Rome, where he was graduated after being prepared to enter college during the sophomore year. Instead of adopting the latter course he studied Latin and Greek under private tutors for about two years. He then began the study of law in the office of Messrs. Johnson & Prescott, promi- nent lawyers of Rome, New York, with whom he remained from January 5, 1880, to October 6, 1882, when lie was admitted to the bar. On March 7, 1883, he was appointed Corporation Counsel of Koine by vote of the City Council, and on March 12 of the following year was reappointed to that office. On March G, 1880, he was elected City Judge or Re- corder of Rome, by the flattering majority of one thousand votes, carrying every ward in the city ; and on Tuesday, March 4, 1890, at the expiration of his first term of office, was re-elected for a second term of four years, and is the first person who has ever been honored by re-election to this office in Rome. Mr. McMahon was but eighteen years of age when he took the stump for the Democratic party, and in every campaign since then he has ta ken a leading part in his district. He is a forcible and fluent speaker, an excellent debater, and thor- oughly informed on all party matters, local, State and national. For ten or twelve years past he has been called repeatedly to deliver addresses on mem- orable anniversaries (including " Decoration Day " and the Fourth of July) and has acquitted himself of this task with ease and distinction, not merely where he is known but in other and possibly more critical localities. In the fall of 1888, he was brought 246 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. forward as the candidate of his party for Congress in the Twenty-third Congressional District of New York, and made a run little short of phenomenal. Although defeated he polled fifteen hundred votes more than the ticket on which his name was regu- larly printed, while his Republican opponent ran behind in every town and city in the district save three. Judge McMahon's rise at the bar has been no less gratifying than his political career. In March, 1884, he became the junior member of the well-established law firm of Johnson & Prescott, which then took the style of Johnson, Prescott »fc McMahon. In September of the same year he formed a law partnership with T. Curtin, Jr., of Rome, the firm, which still continues, taking the name of McMahon & Curtin. As a practicing lawyer, Judge McMahon has figured conspicuously at the Rome bar for a number of years, and has won many nota- ble successes. He was " associate " in the defense of Calvin McIIarg, who was tried in March, 1885, at Utica, New York, for murder. He defended John Minnig for murder, nearly a year later, and secured a verdict of manslaughter in the second degree, with imprisonment at Auburn for two years. In June, 1887, he defended C. Arthur Day, also tried for mur- der. On April 15, 1890, he was nominated by Governor Hill and confirmed by the Senate, to" suc- ceed Hon. Daniel Magone, of Ogdensburg, as one of the Managers of the State Insane Asylum at Utica, New York. Judge McMahon's law practice is very large and keeps him constantly employed when not on the bench. He is one of the most popular of young men. Frank, honest and manly, he is also learned in the law, a diligent worker and an able and impartial magistrate. He was married on April 20, 1886, to Miss Julia F. Johnson, daughter of the Hon. D. M. K. Johnson, of the firm of Johnson & Prescott, his former partners. By this marriage there has been one child, Daniel J. McMahon, born March 8, 1887. ■ ♦ TTT HEELER, MAJOR JEROME BYRON, a prom- uy inent and successful American business man, 11 capitalist and banker, was born in Troy, New York, September 3, 1841. He is the son of good old New England stock. His father and mother were both natives of Massachusetts, and descendants of the earliest settlers of New England. On the male side he springs from the English family of Wheeler, which is of Norman origin. The name is spoken of by Lower, in his work on " Norman Names," as one of the oldest of its class, and is traced by this learned writer to its original from Houeller, as it appears in the History of Cotentin. " It was introduced into England at the Conquest, by Robert C. Whelere and Hugh le Welere, names found upon the Calendarium Rotabirium, Orighuiliu m now preserved in the Brit- ish Museum. It became Wheeler, as the centuries elapsed, branches of the family bearing the sur- name becoming located in Surrey, Worcester, War- wick, Middlesex, Salop, Essex and Lincolnshire. Neweuham Court, Tedbury, is one of its chief seats. The family is now represented in the Baronetane of England, by Colonel Sir Trevor Wheler, the eleventh baronet, whose patent dates back to 1660. in which year the title was conferred by Charles II. The old heraldic crest of the family is given as "an eagle displayed, gulex, issuing out of a ducal coronet." The motto appended thereto is ''Facie Tenus" — Even to the Face. On the female side, Major Wheeler, through his mother, who was a second cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson, traces his ancestry back through Ralph Emerson to Thomas Emerson, who, in 1606, had a grant of Bradbury, County Durham, where he built a market-cross on which was cut the Emerson crest, i. e., a lion rampant holding a battle axe. In Major J. B. Wheeler, the subject of this sketch, " the resistless energy in the face of all op- position, combined with intellectual grasp," is as predominant a trait as it ever was in any of his Nor- man ancestors. In his boyhood he attended the public schools at Waterford, Saratoga County, whither his parents had removed in his early youth. At the age of fifteen years he took a clerical posi- tion, but a year later gave it up to apply himself to mechanical pursuits, in which he remained engaged until September 3, 1862, when he patriotically cele- brated his twenty-first birthday, by availing himself of the privileges acquired with his majority, by en- listing as a private soldier in the Sixth New York Cavalry, United States Volunteers, which was then being recruited in his native city. After a few moDths in camp of instruction at Staten Island, this regiment was ordered to Washington, and pro- ceeded thence to Cloud Mills, Virginia, where it was mounted. From that time forward until the close of the Civil War, the regiment remained at the front, participating in the Peninsula campaign and all the battles of the Potomac, fighting with Sheri- dan in the Valley r , and taking part in the last battle of the Rebellion, at Appomatox Court House. The young soldier had been but a short time in service when he was commissioned Second Lieutenant and assigned to the staff of the Colonel of the regiment^ Thomas C. Devin, a gallant and efficient officer, with whom he remained through his successive pro- motion to the command of brigade and division, until the close of the war, being finally mustered CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK 247 out in September, 1865, with the rank of Brevet- Major, United States Volunteers. Major Wheeler's war record is something of which lie may well be proud. His military career began with his entry upon manhood, and the earnest and brave manner in which he accepted and discharged the grave and responsible duties which fell to him in the field, de- serve more than passing mention, both for the honor which attaches to duty well performed, and as a proof of the excellence of his character and abilities be- fore he entered the arena of business. He had worn the blue but a short time when he was made a cor- poral. Always proud and energetic, holding him- self aloof from the vice and contamination that pre- vailed to such a large degree in the army, he soon caught the eye of Colonel Devin, and before the reigment took the field he was transferred to the Quartermaster Department with the grade of ser- geant. "This opened up a new held to him," writes Major John F. Barkley, one of his superior officers, whose testimony is here quoted, " and as subse- quent events proved, called forth those peculiar qualities that nature had largely endowed him with, — method, action, energy and system." " He showed such ability " writes Colonel Jas. Cating, referring to his service, " that he was promoted soon to be Second Lieutenant. He gave such satis- faction as Regimental Quartermaster he was soon promoted to be First Lieutenant and Brigade Quar- termaster. As soon as we got into active service he had an opportunity to show his real value. * * * The First Brigade of the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, was also the first to have food, while J. B. Wheeler was Quartermaster." The same gallant officer bears testimony to Major Wheeler's personal bravery in the following language : " While on re- treat and just before the battle of Bull Hun (No. 2) it was a race with both armies for Washington. The commands were marching parallel, at times very close. The enemy several times tried very hard to break through our lines. On one occasion they made a desperate attempt. Every man we had was engaged. It is customary to hold one squadron to support the battery. This time I had to send the squadron to the front, leaving the battery without support. The guns were charged with canister, sighted low and at short range. General John Bu- ford ordered me to find out something about the wagon train. On my way I met J. B. Wheeler look- ing for help. 1 Let me have some troops or I will lose my train !' he said. I told him I had not a man ; to rally what men he had around his train, and do the best he could. He did so. In short or- der he led the men himself and drove the enemy back. They made another dash at him. This time the fierce little Wheeler charged down on them, driving the enemy in utter rout, saved the train and perhaps the army." In consideration of his valua- ble services he was promoted to be Captain and Di- vision Quartermaster, and was brevetted Major for his meritorious services. General Devin was a warm admirer of his plucky young staff officer, and he openly declared that if he commanded the army of the Potomac he would insist upon his being made Chief Quartermaster. " During hisservice in the brigade and division staff, he was always at the front," writes Colonel W. L. Heermance, " even when his duties did not call him to the post of dan- ger, and his zeal, with good judgment, was second to none of those with whom he served." Brigadier- General W. Merritt, U. S. A., late Major-General of Volunteers, said of him : " One of the youngest offi- cers of the regiment, he was at the same time one of the most distinguished. * * * I knew of no impor- tant engagement in which the regiment took pari (and it was in all the battles of the Army of the Poto- mac or the Shenandoah Valley), in which he did not bear a conspicuous part as a staff officer." During or after an engagement or forced march, his trains were alwaj r s up in advance of most others, to afford supplies to the famished troops, and his promptness and dispatch became a proverb in the whole divi- sion. General Devin, with whom he served, re- peatedly mentioned him in his reports as having dis- tinguished himself on the field of battle, and in that detailing the arduous operations of the Second Bri- gade, First Cavalry Division, from May 26 to July 2, 1864, says : " Lieutenant Jerome B. Wheeler, As- sistant Quartermaster of the Brigade, has, as usual, rendered valuable service not only to the command but to the whole division, and I would again urge upon superior authority the claims of this energetic and efficient officer." The records of the army show that he was frequently referred to in a special man- ner for valuable services at a time when officers were not thus lightly mentioned. Upon being mus- tered out of the army Major Wheeler returned to Troy and took a responsible clerical position, winch he held nearly a year, when he removed to New York City and entered the employ of his former comrade in arms, Major John F. Barkley, then a dealer in grain. Although strongly attached to each other, both recognized that the position did not afford suf- ficient prospects for Mr. Wheeler's .future advance- ment to make it a permanent one. Among others, General Devin, then in New York, took a great in- terest in obtaining for his young ex-staff officer a larger field for his talents, and in conversation one day with the, senior member of the firm of Holt & Company, in the flour business, said, " If you can 248 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. make a position in your house for Mr. Wheeler you will get a valuable man. He is a good son, and has passed through the war without acquiring any sol- diers' vices: his integrity is undoubted and his en- ergy and business capacity have been signally shown in the Quartermaster's Department in which he served." An opportunity occurring in Febru- ary, 1860. that firm made propositions to Mr. Wheeler which were accepted by him and acquiesced in by Mr. Barkley, who expressed himself as sorry to part with him but glad at the improvement iu his prospects. Mr. Wheeler continued iu the employ- ment of Messrs. Holt & Company until February 1, 1878, when he became a member of the firm, fully justifying the high commendation bestowed upon him by his friend. General Devin, and winning the solid regard of his employers, who, as already stated, admitted him to a partnership in the firm. The death of his brother-in-law, Mr. R. B. Valen- tine, of the firm of R. H. Macy it Company, of New York City, which occurred early in 1879, occa- sioned the withdrawal of Major Wheeler from the firm of Holt & Company, April 1, 1879, he having been appointed executor of Mr. Valentine's estate. By an arrangement with Mr. C. B. Webster, the sur- viving .partner of It. II. Macy < mines is wonderful, and they arc at present capable of producing two thousand tons daily of coking, do- mestic and steam coal. The company has now in operation two hundred and fifty Welsh Drag coke ovens, which are producing coke equal in quality to any manufactured in the United States, and second in quality only to the famous Cardiff coke of Eng- land. In the fall of 1883 Major Wheeler organized a bank in Aspen, under the firm name of J. B. Wheeler & Company, taking as a partner and cashier Mr. D. M. Van Hoevenbergh. This institu- tion has steadily increased in prosperity, and has the confidence of the entire business community and also of the older banks of the State. In May, 1889, Major Wheeler opened his second bank at Manitou ; and in July following he established a third bank at Colorado City. In July, 1889, Major Wheeler purchased the Rust Sampling Works, one of the most extensive in Colorado, and in connec- tion therewith recently began the operation of the old Hewitt Works. The Aspen Mountain Tramway, also owned by him, and extending to valuable min- ing properties, will also prove an important factor in the permanent development of the locality. An- other valuable property in which he is largely inter- ested and is President, is the Enterprise Mining Company, which owns twenty-six acres of ground north of the property of the Aspen Mining and Smelting Company. This mine is under the man- agement of Colonel W. E. Newberry, son of Pro- fessor Newberry, of Columbia College, New York. It is commonly said, and with truth, that " Wheeler made Aspen." His judgment saw at once the pos- sibilities of the place, and his energy and business tact supplied the means for development. Largely to him was owing the introduction of the locomo- tive, and following in its wake came " the rivulet of commercial prosperity which is now a widening river." The wealth derived from his mining prop- erties has been invested in local development and improvements, with the grand result of contributing to the general welfare and aiding in the advance- ment of the State. The Wheeler Opera House, a marvel of artistic adornment and beauty, is one of the specially attractive features of Aspen, and was erected by Major Wheeler at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars. It has a seating capacity of seven hundred, and like W'heeler Block, the loca~ 250 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. tion of the Wheeler bank at Manitou, is built of Colorado red sandstone. The fine structure at As- pen, known as the Hotel Jerome, one of the most complete in the State, is another edifice due to his enterprise, and cost, with its furniture, one hundred thousand dollars. At Manitou, under the shadow of Pike's Peak, Major Wheeler has likewise invested largely. Here he built "Windermere," his sum- mer residence, " transforming its site, granulated rock, into a place where flowers grow and breath their perfume, and where luxurious grass mantles with living green the rocks upon which its founda- tions rest " He is President of the Manitou Mineral Water Company, which bottles and sends to all parts of the land the famous water whose medicinal value is now so well known. Notwithstanding the remarkable success which has attended his enter- prises, and the large wealth accruing from them — a success and wealth sufficiently phenomenal to have affected the brain of most individuals — Major Wheel- er remains distinguished for the same traits which have always characterized him. First of all, a gen- tleman, with all that that implies : next, an earnest man of affairs, closely attentive to business, with marvelous executive power blending with know- ledge of and supervision over detail — a rare combi- nation ; last of all, but not least, a good fellow, faithful to his friends, kindly, generous and helpful. For his old comrades in arms he has a very warm spot in his heart. A recent proof of his affection for his old regiment was his noble gift of five thou- sand dollars towards a monument now erected on the battle-field of Gettysburg, marking the spot where it formed in line of battle on the morning of July 1, 1863, and steadfastly held at bay four to one. At the unveiling of this monument the survivors of the gallant old Sixth Cavalry greeted the name of Major Jerome B. Wheeler with deafening cheers. Underlying a grave and gentlemanly exterior, there exist in Major Wheeler powers of energy, both mental and physical, which are a constant surprise to bis friends and associates. He is a splendid specimen of the best type of the American business man, unpretending, well bred and educated, and possessing that remarkable adaptability of charac- ter which enables him to find delight for one side of his nature in heroically fighting the battles of his country, or in wrestling with the forces of nature, and for the other in the peaceful enjoyments of do- mestic life. In 1870 Major Wheeler married Miss Harriet Macy Valentine, a native of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Their home is in New York City, but with their surviving children, Elsie and Marion, they spend a portion of each year at their lovely .summer residence " Windermere." ENOS, HENRY K., a prominent banker and broker of New York City, head of the banking house of H. K. Enos & Co., one of the oldest in the metropolis, and President of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, was born on the 28th of January, 1837, at Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio, and is a son of the late Dr. Robert King Enos, who was a man of distinguished position in that place for many years preceding his death, and for several years its Mayor. His great-grandfather, a native of Scotland, and a man of some prominence among his countrymen, emigrated to America in the last cen- tury, bringing with him his wife and small family. He settled in New Jersey, where his son Francis, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born. Francis Enos married Miss Elsie Murphy, who was of Irish descent. Like her husband, this young lady was a native of New Jersey and came of a highly respectable family. Shortly after their marriage the young couple moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where Robert King Enos, the father of Mr. II. K. Enos, was born. Robert K. Enos was the eldest son and second child of a family of seven. He received a good common school edu- cation in his boyhood, and in January, 1822, he look a clerkship in a dry-goods store at Florence, Penn- sylvania. In the following year his employer, Mr. Samuel Henry, removed his business to New Lisbon, Ohio, and the young clerk accompanied him thither, his parents removing about this time to Richland County, in the same State. He remained with Mr. Henry until September, 1823, then went to Mans- field, where he worked as a clerk for several months, and finally removed to Millersburgh, where Mr. Henry, his old employer, who had preceded him and was the only merchant in the town, gave him immediate employment. His career in Millers- burgh, beginning in the spring of 1824, covered a period of more than sixty years, and was one of ex- ceptional usefulness and honor. The following par- ticulars regarding it, are gleaned mainly from the "History of Holmes County," (Chicago, 1889) in which his life work is set forth in detail. Robert K. Enos developed into a young man of more than ordinary capacity. He remained with Mr. Henry until 1830, when he began the study of medicine un- der Dr. James S. Irvine, of Millersburgh. In 1830 and 1831 he attended the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, and then established himself in practice at Millersburgh, as the associate of his preceptor, with whom he remained in partnership thirty-one years. Shortly after his arrival in Millersburgh, he had been appointed Deputy Clerk of the Courts for Holmes County, and in September, 1831, be was made Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and of Ailannc Publishing ^Engraving Cc >NY CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the Superior Court for Holmes County. In Octo- ber, 1845, he resigned this position in favor of his friend, Hon. Martin Welker, then a young man of great promise, and subsequently, and until recently, Judge of the United States Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Dr. Enos was the first township Clerk of Hardy township; he was Deputy Postmas- ter at Millersburgh from the time the office was located there until 1838 ; lie was Deputy Recorder of Holmes County from 182(3 until 1831. His energy, capacity and character can be seen in the fact that he rilled several of these offices at the same time. His services to the community were so highly ap- preciated by his fellow citizens that lie was chosen Mayor of Millersburgh, and held that office several years. In 1850, having duly prepared himself by a thorough course of legal study, he was admitted to the bar of Holmes County. He was an active mem- ber of the Whig party from its formation until the organization of the Republican party, of which he became an enthusiastic member. The eminent fit- ness of Dr. Enos for the several positions to which he was chosen, and the high esteem in which he was held as a citizen, is shown by the fact that he occu- pied all the offices named in a county strongly Demo- cratic and which was never anything else except during the " Know-Nothing " excitement in 1852. As a delegate from his Congressional District, he sat in the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1860, and was the first of the memorable four of the Ohio delegation, who, at the critical moment, on the third ballot, changed their votes from Sal- mon P. Chase to Abraham Lincoln. The Chicago Tribune, on the morning after the nomination, in May, 1800, referred to this proceeding editorially, under the caption of " The Four Votes" as follows : " During the progress of the third ballot for Presi- dent the steady increase of Lincoln's vote raised the expectations of his friends to fever heat that he was about to receive the nomination. When the roll call was completed a hasty footing discovered that Lin- coln lacked but two and a ban votes of election, the ballot standing for Lincoln three hundred and thirty- one and a half; Seward, one hundred and eighty; scattering, thirty-four and a half ; necessary to a choice, three hundred and thirty-four. Before the vote was announced. Mr. R. M. Corwine, of the Ohio delegation, who had voted for Governor Chase up to that time, and three other delegates, viz : R. K. Enos, John A. Gurley, and Isaac Steese, changed their votes to Lincoln, giving him a majority of the whole convention, and nominating him. D. II. Cartter, Chairman of the delegation, announced the change of votes, and before the secretaries had time to foot up and announce the result, the vast audi- ence burst forth simultaneously into irrepressible shouts. A deafening roar of applause arose from the immense multitude, such as has never been equalled on the American Continent, nor since the day that the walls of Jericho were blown down." The exact facts regarding this interesting occur- rence were learned by the subject of this sketch directly from his father upon his return from the Convention, and are distinctly remembered by him. They were matter of common report and conversa- tion at Millersburgh and elsewhere at the time, and among those cognizant of them may be named Judge Martin Welker, of the United States Court at Cleveland. Ohio. In a letter to the editor of the Cleveland Leader, published in that journal on May 9, 1885, Mr. II. K. Enos claims this imperishable honor for his father, and adduces proof in the ex- tract from the Chicago Tribune, referred to above, to substantiate his claim as against that made by another claimant to the honor. In this letter Mr. Enos says : " At the time of the Convention I was a young man, and distinctly remember the incident "of my father attending the Convention as a delegate, and his relating to me his connection with the incident. At the critical moment referred to by Mr. Brings (at the time the vote was being taken, just before the nomination was made) my father, as an expert chess-player and an accomplished accountant (being then in the banking business), was well qualitied for keeping correct tally of the votes cast by the various delegations from the several States. So correct was he that when the votes had all been cast, but before they were announced or known, he discovered that Mr. Lincoln lacked but two and a half votes of the nomination. He turned to Mr. Corwine and Mr. Gurley and told them how the. votes stood, and asked them to join him, thus making three votes — a half vote more than necessary —and requested Judge Cartter, the Chairman, to make the change. Mr. I. Steese requested to be included, thus making four votes, which change was announced, and thus was the nomination of the immortal Lincoln secured. Dr. Enos felt favorably toward Mr. Lincoln from the first, and had been urged Iry his friends, Columbus Delano of Mount Vernon, and Levi Geiger of Ur- bana — both delegates to the Convention and suppor- ters of Mr. Lincoln from the beginning — to cast his vote with them, but having pledged himself to sup- port Mr. Chase, he felt bound by his pledge to sup- port him as long as there was any hope of his nomination. When it became apparent that either Mr. Lincoln or Mr. Seward would be the nominee, he felt absolved from his pledge, and then, as ever, quick to see the importance of prompt action and the grand opportunity, he, as if almost inspired, at the critical moment cast his vote and secured the votes of others, and thereby became directly instru- mental in securing the nomination of Abraham Lin- coln." In the interest of historical accuracy this incident is referred to at some length in this place, as the true facts seem to have escaped the notice of Colonel Hay and others who have touched upon the subject in writing of President Lincoln. Dr. Enos was the owner of considerable real estate in and about Mil- lersburgh, and took a deep interest in the welfare and development of that town. He was generally 252 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. regarded as the leading man in Holmes County, and his opinion was sought in every public measure. He had excellent judgment and a thorough knowl- edge of the locality and its needs, as well as a wide acquaintance with its people and resources, all of which were constantly and happily employed for the public weal. He was one of the first to urge the construction of railroads in that section of the country, " and to him more than any other man is due the locating and construction of the present railroad through Millersburgh." Prior to this he was a member of the Executive Committee of citi- zens having in view the construction of a railroad between Columbus and Olean. Dr. Enos married, on March 31, 1834, Elizabeth Neely, daughter of James and Sarah Neeley, leading residents of Read- ing township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Enos was born March 10, 1812. He was one of the exemplary, enterprising and influential citi- zens of Holmes County, and his death, which took place on September 13, 1884, was regarded as a great public loss. His estimable widow, now in her seventy-ninth year, still survives him, and has the honor'of being the oldest housekeeper in the town of Millersburgh, where she has kept house continu- ously from April, 1834. to the present time William Enos, a brother of Dr. Enos, was one of the pioneers of Iowa. Two other brothers, Wilson and James, were prosperous farmers in Rich- land County, Ohio. Sophia, his only sister, who died in 1885, was the wife of a physician. The family of Dr. and Mrs. R. K. Enos consisted of four sons and three daughters. One of the sous died in infancy : another son, Richard W 7 . Enos, en- gaged in the mining business on the Pacific slope, died recently. One of the daughters — Letitia— died in infancy, and another — Emma — after reaching adult age. Two sons and a daughter are now liv- ing, viz : Henry K. Enos, of New York City, Francis A. Enos, living in California, and Helen M. Enos. The last named, a lady of refinement and cul- ture, makes her home with her mother at Millers- burgh. Henry K. Enos, the subject of this sketch, and the eldest child of his parents, received his early education in the district schools at Millersburg. At the age of eighteen he entered Oberlin College, where he remained two years. He then took the commercial course at Bryant and Stratton's Mercan- tile College, at Buffalo, New York, graduating there, and receiving his diploma in the spring of 1857. His father was then in the banking business at Millersburgh. Henry returned home after clos- ing his collegiate studies, but he found life in a town of about two thousand inhabitants quite unsuited to : his ambitious cast of thought. Receivina; from his father the sum of one hundred dollars and a through ticket, he made the journey to New York in com- pany with three merchants visiting the city to pur- chase goods, and upon his arrival set to work to find a position in some business house, trusting to his skill in commercial college book-keeping to secure him profitable employment. The first posi- tion he obtained was that of entry clerk, but a couple of hours experience with the expert young men who were to be his associates, entirely disa- bused his mind of any vanity it might have possessed regarding his own proficiency, and he threw up the place in disgust. The influence of his friends finally secured him a subordinate position as assist- ant book-keeper with Messrs. Ely, Bowen & McCon- nell, jobbers of dry goods. This house was one of the first to feel the effects of the great commercial disturbances of that disastrous epoch, and its failure threw young Enos out of employment. He re- mained with the house until its affairs were settled, and then paid a brief visit to his home in Ohio, re- turning to New York in the fall of 1858. Through the recommendation of Mr. Ely, he now obtained a situation as general clerk witli Messrs. DeForest, Armstrong & Co., jobbers of dry goods, at 80 and 82 Chambers Street, and one of the most prominent business houses in the city. Here, after a while, he was permitted to sell goods to customers, and his employers, noting his aptness in this work, started him out as a traveling salesman. Mr. Enos entered upon his new duties with remarkable zeal and intelligence. The young man was naturally a shrewd observer and he noticed that one of the most successful salesmen of the house made a habit of giving his customers full particulars regarding the goods he was attempting to sell. He realized at once the value of thus interesting buyers, and speed- ily acquired a stock of general information on dry goods of all kinds, which he promptly utilized with remarkable success, and thus early learned the value of being thoroughly posted in any business he un- dertook. His success from the beginning was ex- traordinary. It was not long before he was dispos- ing of upwards of a quarter of a million dollars' worth of goods annually, and ranked with the lead- ing salesmen in the trade. The era of commercial depression which set in with the Civil War caused the failure of this house and of many others in the jobbing trade. Mr. Enos then went to Washington, and engaged in business as a wholesale merchant, meeting with success and remaining there until the close of the war. At that time he had thoughts of going to Mexico to join a cousin there who was en- gaged in mining, but he gave up this project to in- vest in coal stocks, brought to his notice by a friend CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 253 in Baltimore, Maryland. Realizing some profits from this investment, he engaged in general specu- lation, and, returning to New York, began trading in gold. After a brief and almost phenomenal success, he lost everything. He then spent several months in various speculative enterprises between New York, Baltimore and Washington, and finally settled down in New York. His talent for finance being proved, he naturally drifted into Wall Street and engaged in the brokerage business. By hard work, close application and undeviating fidelity to the in- terests of his patrons, aided by a keen insight into business operations, he became successful and in a •comparatively short time established a reputation in " the street" second to that of no other in his line of business, and such as few possess. For years he has been associated with men who are leaders of finance in the United States. He not only strives to possess the confidence of his patrons, but he earns it as well by his absolute reliability and his devotion to their interests. Mr. Enos became a member of the Gold Board in 1868, and a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1872, where he has originated many of the most important speculative movements of the times. His credit was always of the best, as it was known that his large operations were for the account of parties or individuals with almost un- limited means at command. Among the large operators whose confidence he possessed and for whom he transacted business at different times, may be named the late Daniel Drew, the late Win. H. Vanderbjlt, and Mr. Jay Gould. During the last years of his life Mr. Yauderbilt entrusted him with the transaction of the principal part of his business, and Mr. Enos's office was the only broker's office he ever entered after he became conspicuously identi- fied with the New York Central Railroad and other great financial interests. While pursuing his regu- lar business as a banker and broker, Mr. Enos has for many years given his attention to matters out- side of it involving important questions of finance, commerce and transportation, and in these, as well as in his regular occupation, he is distinguished for his rare industry, excellent judgment and ready business perception. Of late he has been recognized as one of the principal agents in the reorganization of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, which is being conducted by the Olcott Committee (so called from its Chairman, Mr. Fred. P. Olcott, Presi- dent of the Central Trust Company of New York) which is acting under the auspices of the Railway Company. Of this Company, Mr. Enos has recently been elected the President, and it was largely owing to his individual efforts and the controlling influence which he and several of his friends were able to ex- ert, that the Olcott Committee was formed. It is matter of common report in financial circles, that the ultimate success of this committee has been made possible in a large degree by the energy and perseverance of Mr. Enos, who is given much credit for his ability in aiding the Olcott Committee ti> set- tle and harmonize the various conflicting interests. The extent of this labor and of the vexations at- tending it, may be inferred when it is known that the task involves the control of sixteen hundred miles of railroad, in a most complex situation, representing over $100,000,000 of securities. At this period the efforts of Mr. Enos and his associates bid fair to rescue this great corporation from its various entan- glements and place it upon a solid and prosperous basis. In 1870 Mr. Enos formed a partnership with Mr. Thos. C. Buck, since when the business has been under the style of H. K. Enos & Co. The house is one of the oldest in its line of business in New York — probably there are not a dozen older — and it has gone successfully through every panic since its foundation, and has safely carried every interest confided to it. Mr. Enos is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, and sat in its Board of Governors for two years, declining re-election. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Warmly interested in his native State and her peo- ple, he took an active part in founding the Ohio So- ciety of the city of New York, was one of its origi- nal members, and still retains his connection with it. He was married, in I860, at Baltimore, to Miss Olive B. Tyson, a native of that city, and daughter of Mr. Charles Burrell Tyson. Of the three chil- dren born to this marriage, one, a boy, died in in- fancy. The two living are daughters — Miss Bessie and Miss Natalie. TAYLOR, HON. JAMES BAYARD, the celebrated author, poet, journalist, traveler and diploma- tist, was born upon a country farm at Kennett Square, Chester County, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1825, and died at Berlin, Prussia, on December 19, 1878, while representing the United States as Envoy I Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the German Empire. His parents were descended from the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania, and were per- sons of note in the quiet township where they always lived. The future author and traveler re- ceived the usual advantages of a common school education, and, like so many other men of eminence, obtained his first impulse to a literary career through his connection with the press. At the age of seven- ! teen years he was regularly apprenticed in a news- 254 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. paper printing office, in West Chester, and employed his leisure in the study of Latin and French. His first published compositions were verses, which he wrote for the columns of the newspaper in question, and were probably " set up " by his own hand. The approval of his friends soon induced him to send specimens of his poetic skill to the two recognized autocrats of American criticism, Nathaniel P. Wil- lis and Rufus Wilmot Griswold, then respectively conducting the New York Mirror and Graham's Magazine. They were well received in the columns of those periodicals, and others of his compositions were accepted by metropolitan newspapers. In 1844 he collected his scattered verses into a small volume entitled " Ximena, or, The Battle of the Sierra Morena, and Other Poems" (Philadelphia, 1844, 12mo., pp. 84), which is now one of the scarc- est of modern American books. One of his objects in this early appearance as an author was to gain a sufficient status in literature to procure him an en- gagement as correspondent for some prominent journal during a tour in Europe which he was eagerly planning, although the expenses had yet to be provided. This bold project for a youth of nineteen succeeded in every respect. His local fame in Chester County reached the city of Phila- delphia, where his book had been printed, and he obtained from Mr. Joseph R. Chandler, of the United States Gazette, and Mr. Patterson, of the Saturday Evening Post, an advance of $100 for let- j ters to be written from Europe. This sum, with the 1 addition of $40 received from Graham's Magazine, for some accepted poems, was enough to pay his I passage and his expenses for a few weeks abroad, and he was encouraged by Horace Greeley, who promised to pay for such letters as should prove readable. He took a steerage passage for England, traveled on foot through England, Scotland, Ger- many, Switzerland, Italy and France, for nearly two years, at an expense of only $500, a portion of which was sent by his parents, but the larger part was earned by his fresh and vivacious newspaper correspondence. On his return to America he had little trouble in arranging his materials into a vol- ume, which was published in December, 1846, at New York, under the title " Views-a-foot, or Europe Seen with Knapsack and Staff ; with a Preface by N. P. Willis." The volume had an immediate suc- cess, receiving the heartiest praise not only from R. W. Griswold, but from that sterner censor, the Lon- don Athenmum. It passed through a dozen editions. For a year after his return Mr. Taylor edited and published a country paper at Pha?nixville, Pennsyl- vania, with an unsatisfactory pecuniary result. In 1847 he came to New York to seek his fortune by literature, and a number of his sketches and poems were accepted by the Literary World, which, under the management of the late Evert A. Duyckiuck, was then the leading critical journal of the metropo- lis. Hisambitiou was still chiefly direc ted to poetic fame, and at the Christmas season of 1847 he issued (with the date of 1848) a new volume of "Rhymes of Travel, Ballads and other Poems," which did not meet the commendation of the Literary World, but was warmly praised by Edgar Allen Poe. In Feb- ruary, 1848, Mr. Taylor secured employment upon the New York Tribune, with which paper he continued, until his death, connected in some capacity. Early in 1849 he became owner of one share of the Tribune stock, and was advanced in rank upou its editorial staff'. Just at that time, however, the Eastern States were agog with the California excitement, and thither young Taylor proceeded by wa}' of Panama, returning a few months later through Mexico. His letters to the Tribune, collected under the title " El Dorado; or Adventures in the Path of Empire" (2 vols., 1850), had within a few weeks a circulation of ten thousand copies, and of the Eng- lish reprint thirty thousand were sold. More than twenty editions have since been issued of this, the most profitable of all Mr. Taylor's works. The chief incentive to his longest series of journeys — those begun in 1851 — was the death, from consump- tion, of a beautiful and amiable young lady to whom he was long engaged, and who had inspired many pathetic lyrics in his earlier verse. The mar- riage ceremony was performed almost on her death- bed, and after her burial he felt the need of pro- tracted change of scene. In the summer of 1851 Mr. Taylor set out for a long tour in Eastern lands, leaving in the hands of his publisher a third volume of poems, "A Book of Romances, Lyrics and Songs," (Boston, 1851), which included "The Amer- ican Legend," a poem delivered the previous year before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard Uni- versity, and separately printed. Mr. Taylor's jour- ney conducted him by way of England, the Rhine, Vienna, Trieste and Smyrna to Egypt, reaching Cairo early in November. He spent the whole win- ter in a voyage up the Nile, penetrating through Nubia and the Soudan to the Kingdom of the Shil- look negroes, on the White Nile, and when he reached Cairo in April, 1852, he had traveled four thousand miles in Central Africa. He then made the usual Oriental tour of Palestine and Syria, visited Antioch and Aleppo, and crossed Asia Minor diagon- ally from Tarsus, through the passes of the Taurus range, the forests of ancient Phrygia and the Bi- thynian Olympus to Constantinople, visiting also the Troad. He then spent several months in Southern CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 55 Europe, especially Malta and Sicily, where he wit- nessed the eruption of Etna, and returned to Eng- land by way of the Tyrol and Germany. After a brief sojourn in England, he took a new departure for the extreme East in October, 1852 ; tarried a month in Southern Spain, proceeded to Bombay by the "overland" route, and made a journey of two thousand two hundred miles, chiefly on horseback, in Central India, reaching Calcutta February 22, 1853. He soon proceeded to Hong Kong, by way of Peuang and Singapore ; resided some time at Shang- hai as an attache - of the American Legation, then in charge of Colonel Marshall, and, on May 17, em- barked for Japan on board the squadron of Commo- dore Perry. He was thus a witness of one of the most memorable events of modern times — the open- ing of Japan to intercourse with civilized countries — but his diary was not allowed to be separately published, it being used in preparing the official narrative of the expedition. Returning to Canton in August, Mr. Taylor sailed in September for New York and reached this port December 20, 1853, after an absence of two years and four mouths, during which he had traveled about fifty thousand miles. His letters to the Tribune furnished the materials of several volumes — "A Journey to Central Africa; or, Life and Landscape from Egypt to the Negro Kingdoms of the White Nile" (New Y r ork, 1854): "The Lands of the Saracen; or, Pictures of Pales- tine, Asia Minor, Sicily and Spain" (1854); and "A Visit to India, China and Japan in the Year 1853 " (1855)— all of which were widely popular both in America and England and ran through numerous editions. Mr. Taylor had scarcely rested from is- suing these volumes of travels, when he returned to his first love with three volumes of verse, " Poems of the Orient" (Boston, 1854); " Poems and Ballads " (New York, 1854); and "Poems of Home and Travel" (New York, 1855) the latter work compris- ing a selection from his earlier lyrics. In July, 1856, he undertook a fourth tour through Northern and Eastern Europe and Iceland, resulting in three more volumes — " Northern Travel ; Summer and Winter Pictures ; Sweden, Denmark and Lapland " (1857) ; " Travels in Greece and Russia, with an Excursion to Crete" (1859); and "At Home and Abroad; a Sketch Book of Life, Scenery and Men" (1859), of which work a second series was issued in 1862. Mr. Taylor settled down to quiet journalistic work for a few years, but the passion for novelty was still strong within him, and in 1862 he accepted the post of Secretary of Legation at St. Petersburg, where he resided nearly two years, acting for a short time in 1863 as Charge d' Affaires ad interim. At this time he pursued with earnestness his studies of German literature, commenced many years before, and mar- ried Miss Marie Hansen, a German lady of distin- guished family, who is herself a linguist and author of rare talents. During his residence in Russia Mr. Taylor published" The Poets' Journal" (Boston, 1863) which has been called a poetical domestic au- tobiography, and "Hannah Thurston, a Storj of American Life " (1863) his first venture in fiction— a work which achieved considerable success and was translated by Mrs. Taylor into German. Soon after his return to America he issued a second novel —"John Godfrey's Fortunes, Related by Himself" (1864)— and two years later a third— "The Story of Kennett ; a Tale of American Life " (1866)— dealing with historical incidents which occurred near his birthplace in Chester County, Pennsylvania. A poem, "The Picture of St. John" (1866) and two new volumes of travel, "Colorado; a Summer Trip " (1867) and " Byways of Europe " (1869) gave evidence of continued literary activity, as also of Frithiof's " Saga:" (1867) and of Auerbach's "Villa on the Rhine" (1869) which he edited, with a bio- graphical sketch of the latter author. During the winter of 1869-70 he delivered a course of lectures on " German Literature" at Cornell University. He was well beloved by all the students at Ithaca. His chief occupation for several years consisted in lec- turing, and his recreation in translating Goethe's "Faust," two volumes (1870-'71). He traversed in 1871 the entire route of the Northern Pacific Rail- way, making a by-visit to the British province of Manitoba, and in 1874 revisited Egypt and Iceland, publishing his letters thereupon in a single volume. Among his later publications were " The Ballad of Abraham Lincoln " (1869) delivered at the inaugura- tion of a monument at Gettysburg, July 4, 1869; another novel, "Joseph and His Friend" (1870); "The Masque of the Gods" (1872); "Lars, a Pas- toral of Norway" (1873); and " Home Pastorals, Bal- lads and Lyrics " (1875). He edited four volumes, comprising an "Illustrated Library of Travel, Ex- ploration and Adventure " (1872-'74) and was long engaged upon a biography of Goethe, which he in- tended to make the great work of his life. A com- plete account of his literary activity would comprise scores of uncollected contributions to miscellaneous publications, many unpublished lectures, and a vast number of literary reviews and general articles which were published in the columns of the New York Tribune. One of his frequent tours de farce was in preparing for the Tribune, some years ago, within forty-eight hours a complete account of two new volumes of poems by Victor Hugo. This was done from advance sheets, by working day and night, and the account, which filled several columns, was 256 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. largely composed of metrical translations from Hugo. Mr. Taylor was not an ardent politician, but he sympathized heartily with the Union cause during the Civil War and was always identified with the fortunes of the Republican party. Though his literary headquarters were in New York, he was a resident and citizen of Pennsylvania, having a beautiful home near the spot of his birth. When it fell to the lot of President Hayes to fill the post of Minister to the German Empire, it was generally felt that it would be not merely a welcome tribute to literature and to journalistic success, but a fitting satisfaction of. the joint interests of two great States, could the position be tendered to Mr. Taylor. The press of the country with great unanimity approved in advance the nomination, which he received with- out solicitation on his own part. The complimen- tary receptions which were given to Mr. Taylor at Philadelphia and in New York City, are well re- membered by all who had the pleasure of participat- ing" in them. The most distinguished men of letters in both cities took pleasure in bidding God-speed to a gentleman of such eminence in many distinct lines, and the congratulations of the German resi- dents were not less hearty. The press in German}- and England were highly complimentary, and long biographical sketches of Mr. Taylor appeared in the Berlin papers. He arrived in Germany late in April, 1878. and his short diplomatic career was marked by more than one notable event. The two attempts upon the life of the German Emperor and the meet- ing of the Peace Congress at Berlin will suffice to show the character of the period in which it was his lot to represent his country at so important a Capital. It is highly probable that his zeal to perform his duties of courtesy to the venerable German Emperor, by tendering him the congratulations of our Gov- ernment, ma}' have accelerated his death: but the immediate cause was a surgical operation to which he had submitted several weeks before. The tid- ings of his sudden death aroused universal grief and sorrow at the German Court, because the deceased gentleman, although only accredited a short time, was a universal favorite. The Emperor William, the Crown Prince and Prince Bismarck greatly esteemed Mr. Taylor, whose appointment as Minis- ter to that Court was extremely welcome to them. Mrs. Taylor and her daughter devotedly nursed the deceased during his long illness. The fatal symp- toms came on suddenly. Mr. Taylor had been out of bed and was transacting business with the offi- cials of the American Legation the day before. His death was peaceful and painless: he passed away from life as though sinking into restfid sleep. No account of Mr. Taylor's later literary labors would be complete without reference to the fine poem which he delivered at the Centenary Celebration of American Independence, at Philadelphia, July 4, 18TG, — an occasion, which in many respects, was the crowning moment of Ins life. In the same year he printed an unpretending little volume, " The Echo Club and Other Literary Diversions." One of his greatest works, perhaps his poetic masterpiece, was published only a few days before his decease, "Prince Deukalion," a philosophical poem, which has been passed upon by the majority of our organs of literary criticism and has elicited the most diverse opinions. The untimely death of its author, which made "Prince Deukalion" his last literary bequest to his countrymen, gave it an extensive cir- culation, and the author's object, which v,as to popularize his views about the religion of the future, was thus attained. Like the majority of modern poets Mr. Taylor held philosophical views consider- ably at variance with the prevalent theological or- thodoxy, but he never sought to give distinct expression to those views, and the multitude of readers who are groping for a creed will doubtless find at least a consistent and coherent system in Mr. Taylor's poem. In his heart it was always poetic fame that he coveted — poetry was his first love and his last. The final verdict of criticism, however, will probably award a greater value to other of his works. He long enjoyed the honor of having both his prose and poetic works collected into uniform series, the travels, which now com- prise some ten volumes, having for many years stood as standard books on the catalogues of well known publishers. » CLARKSON, COLONEL FLOYD, was born in New York City, February 27, 1831. His father was Samuel Floyd Clarkson, a practicing coun- sel in chancery, law and equity proceedings, and his mother was Amelia A. Baker, daughter of Wil- liam F. Baker — a lumber merchant of New York City — and Elizabeth Sperry. His grandfather was William Clarkson, a physician of Philadelphia, and afterwards a Presbyterian minister, who was set- tled at Bridgton, New Jersey ; Schenectady, New York: Savannah, Georgia ; and John's Island, South Carolina ; and who was the son of Gerardus Clark- son, one of the most distinguished physicians of Philadelphia, and the grandson of Matthew Clark- son, who was Secretary of the Colony of New York, under appointment of William and Mary, in 1G88. His grandmother was Catharine Floyd, the daugh- ter of William Floyd, who was a delegate to the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 257 Continental Congress from this State, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and was Colonel of the Suffolk County Militia, and as such was active in the protection of that portion of Long Island from British raids, and was afterwards ap- pointed a Brigadier-General. Floyd Clarkson was educated at King & Feek's, afterwards Lyon's School, in New York City, and was prepared for entry into the New York University in 1845, but persuaded his father to let him engage in mercantile life, entering the hardware store of Tracy, Allen & Co., in April, 184(5, with whom he continued until their retirement from business, which was trans- ferred to Cornell, Willis and Co., in Cortlandt Street. Floyd Clarkson remained in their employ until he engaged in business for himself, at 14 Cortlandt Street, January 1, 1859. For two years he did a large and successful business, until the troubles of 1861 began, when by reason of about one-half of his trade being with the seceding States, he was forced to retire from business. On October 27, 1857, he married (the Rev. William Adams, D.D., performing the ceremony) Harriet A. Van Boskerck, the daughter of John Van Boskerck, one of the old Hollandish business men of New York city, who had retired many years before witb what was in those days an ample fortune. They were the parents of ten children, of whom two died in in- fancy, and a third, Floyd, Jr., when nineteen years of age. Seven still survive, two being daughters: John V. B., Ashton C, George T., Grace, Bessie, Frank J., and Jay H. On the call for troops by President Lincoln in April, 1861, Floyd Clarkson went with his company, Company Six (since known as Company F) Seventh Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, in the famous march down Broadway, thence to Annapolis, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., — his company and the Second forming a division under Captain Nevers, of Com- pany Six, being the advance guard to Annapolis Junction. Floyd Clarkson joined the Seventh Reg- iment, March 18, 1856, and continued as a private until his discharge, March 5, 1869, doing duty in his company, as a private, after his return from the war in 1865. He remained with the Seventh Regi- ment until it returned to New York, and was mus- tered out June 3, 1861. He was one of those who built Fort Runyon at the westerly end of Long Bridge, Virginia. On his return to New York, he at once began recruiting for the cavalry service, being authorized so to do by Colonel Othniel De Forest, who had a commission from the War De- partment to recruit three regiments of cavalry, numbered afterwards as the Fifth, Sixth and Twelfth. One company raised by Floyd Clarkson was placed in the Fifth as M, under Captain Foster. Another went into the Sixth as M, under Captain George M. Van Buren. On the 11th of November, 1861, Floyd Clarkson was mustered as Major of the Sixth New York Cavalry, and, on Thanksgiving Day of 1861, the regiment left Staten Island for York, Pennsylvania, where it stayed during that winter, and in March was ordered to Perryville, Maryland, to relieve the Eleventh Regulars, Infan- try, who were ordered to the Army of the Potomac. During the winter of 1861-'2, Major Clarkson had a weekly school of instruction for the officers of his battalion, laying the ground work for that excel- lence which made the officers of that battalion those who received the highest promotions in the regiment; and when the regiment left York, Major Clarkson was sent with his battalion as the first detachment. In March, 1862, Colonel Thomas C. Devin, commanding the regiment, was directed to send all of his mounted men to report to Major- Genera] Sumner, at Warrenton Junction, Virginia. Only one company (K) had horses, they having brought them from St. Lawrence County. Colonel Devin sent Major Clarkson with three companies, D, H and K, directing him to procure saddles and horses at Washington. On arriving at Washington, Major Clarkson found that the corps commanded by General Sumner had left for the Peninsula ; on reporting to the General he was directed to obtain transportation, and take his three companies to Fortress Monroe. Just as he arrived at the anchor- age off the Fort on April 11, 1862, and while one schooner with D troop had just tied up at the dock, the "Merrimac" appeared, convoying the two steamers that cut out some vessels at Newport News. The "Monitor" was at anchor but a short distance from where the brig lay, on which was Major Clarkson with another troop, and on the moving of the "Monitor" towards the "Merrimac," the captain of the brig raised anchor, and ran out into the bay, remaining there until the next day, when he returned and all were safely disembarked. Saddles and pistols had to be distributed, and horses assigned and mounted. Drill at once began and continued unceasingly until the army moved beyond Yorktown. Orders had been sent to have the battalion report to Colonel Farns worth, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, but they failed to reach Major Clarkson. Finding that every other com- mand had left its camp, he, with Lieutenant Aitken and an orderly, went in search of Major-General Sumner to obtain orders. In looking for him they went up on the left where General Hooker's divi- sion was engaged in the battle of Williamsburg, and, in endeavoring to pass *o the right, they were 258 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. under fire for the first time. Finding , that the ground was too swampy to allow their horses to get through, they returned to the fork of the road, and there found that General Sumner had returned to Yorktown. Finding the General, Major Clarksou was ordered to report to Brigadier-General Van Allen, who was commanding at Yorktown. The battalion remained there a month, a fourth com- pany, F, reporting to the battalion. Soon after, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan McYicar of the regi- ment arrived and took command. The battalion was ordered to Major-General Sumner at the front, where they remained, doing orderly and escort duty, and scouting towards West Point for the protection of the railroad, until the battle of Me- ehanicsville and the retreat of the army. At the battle of Peach Orchard or Allen's Farm, that por- tion of the battalion (about a squadron) with the field officers, was ordered to cover the right of the Second Corps, and to communicate witli the troops on the right across the Chickahomiuy. At the fight at Savage Station, the same position was assigned to the squadron. They were the last troops that passed over the bridge at White Oak Swamp, Haz- ard's Battery passing them and going over on a gallop, Major-General Richardson at once ordering the bridge to be blown up. The squadron bivou- acked in the woods immediately behind Mott's Bat- tery, and when the heavy cannonade opening the battle of White Oak Swamp began, the shells blew up one of the caissons of Mott's Battery, and other- wise damaged that battery. They also fell so thick where Major Clarkson's squadron was resting that they immediately led their horses to the rear, not waiting to mount. They were then placed as a provost guard behind Richardson's Division. The succeeding night the army retreated to Malvern Hill, where the squadron, composed of troops D and K, covered the right flank of the Second Corps to the Chickahomiuy. The other squadron, F and H, also scouted towards the right. Return- ing, they were ordered by General McClellan himself to feed and proceed at once to Harrison's Landing. Upon the arrival of the army at Harrison's Landing, Major Clarkson, with the squadron, consisting of F and H, was ordered to report to Major-General E. D. Keyes, commanding the Fourth Corps, and re- mained with the headquarters of that corps at Yorktown, when the army embarked for Alexan- dria. In September, owing to pressing private business in New York, and it being impossible to procure a leave of absence for ten days, Major Clarkson resigned and returned to New York City. In December, 1862, Governor Morgan appointed Major Clarkson Lieutenant-Colonel of the Four- teenth New York Cavalry, but after visiting the regiment, he concluded not to be mustered, and in March, 18G3, United States Senator Harris had him appointed a Major in the Twelfth New York Cav- alry, and he was mustered April 2, 1863. During that mouth the ten companies were consolidated into six companies by command of Major-General Wool; Major Clarksou, though the junior Major, was retained as Major, to which a battalion of six companies was by law entitled, and in May, 1863, he left Staten Island with the six companies for New Berne, North Carolina. Lieutenant-Colonel P. G. Yought followed in a few weeks. After amontli's drill, and the men not being able to ride or handle their weapons, the various companies were sent to different stations, held by the Union troops in North Carolina, to relieve the Third New York Cavalry, that was concentrated at New Berne, North Carolina, for a raid to Kienansville and War- saw, the latter a town on the W T eldon and Wilming- ton Railroad. The raid, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. W. Lewis, of the Third New York Cavalry, left New Berne, July 3, 1863, and Major Clarkson accompanied him as au aid. The railroad was torn up for several miles in the neigh- borhood of Warsaw, and culverts aud bridges were destroj-ed. A detachment of Rebel cavalry was surprised and badly whipped at Kienansville, a sword and bayonet factory burnt, also depots of army supplies. Duriug the march, going and re- turning, large amounts of cotton and naval sup- plies, such as tar and rosin, were burned. In July, 1863, another raid was planned by Major-General Foster, the command to consist of the Third New York Cavalry, three companies, A, B and F, of the Twelfth New York Cavalry ; two companies of the Twenty-third New York Cavalry, and one troop of the First North Carolina Loyal Cavalry — white — in all about nine hundred and fifty men ; the whole under the command of Brigadier-General E. E. Potter. This cavalry force passed through Green- ville, thence to Sparta, where the battalion of six companies of the Third Cavalry, under Major Ferris Jacobs, Jr., was sent to Rocky Mount, and the rest of the column proceeded to Tarboro. The destruc- tion at Rocky Mount of the very high and long trestle over the Tar River, was a serious injury to the Rebel army. A cracker bakery and a factory for the manufacture of army cloths, besides large supplies of commissary stores, were burned. At Tarboro, Major Clarkson led the charge into the town and drove out the Rebel pickets. He there superintended the destruction of two steamboats and a ram. that were on the ways by the banks of the Tar River. Several buildings filled with medi- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 2 59 cal, commissary and quartermaster supplies were also burned. This being a very fertile section of North Carolina, the Rebel army of Northern Yir. ginia drew a vast amount of supplies from Tarboro and the surrounding country. A force for the pro- tection of this depot being reported as advancing, Major Clarkson, with one hundred men of the Twelfth New York Cavalry and a mountain howit- zer, manned by the Third New York Artillery, were sent out to the northward to reconnoiter. A few miles from Tarboro, the advance of the enemy was met, and in a fight that ensued, Major Clarkson lost in killed, wounded and missing about thirty men ; some of those who were captured lost con- trol of their horses in a charge that was made and were taken beyond any help from their party. This was the first time any of the party, except Major Clarkson, had been under fire, and to steady them it became necessary for him to expose himself. When the Rebel videttes were seen, they were fol- lowed as they fell back upon the main body, and as the head of the Union column approached, they opened at about three hundred yards, sending the troops on the right into the woods. Major Clark- son ordered up the howitzer and directed them to throw some spherical case down the road, and into the woods to the left. The bullets of the enemy sent the gunners from the gun, and it became necessary to do something to steady the men. Ma- jor Clarkson at once put his horse, an iron gray, across the road just by the gun, and a couple of vol- leys were fired at him, as he discharged his pistol at the Confederates. One bullet went through his horse's neck and another struck his saber scabbard. He thus brought the men to the gun, and when he ordered a charge with pistols, the cavalry responded at once. A company of the Third New York Cav- alry was sent to his assistance, and they, having carbines, were able to delay the enemy, so that every desired object of the stay in Tarboro was obtained. In beginning the retreat, the battalion under Major Clarkson was ordered to take the ad- vance. As they approached a branch of the Tar River, the bridge across it was found guarded by an infantry brigade with some artillery. The skir- mishers were in a piece of scrub pines, and as no carbines were in the battalion, a request was sent back to Colonel Lewis, of the Third New York Cav- alry, for a company of carbineers, and until they reported the best defense was made with pistols — the Rebel sharpshooters firing at the officers. One fired three times at Major Clarkson, the first bullet dropping just in front of his horse's front feet, twelve inches by measurement, the third brushing up the horse's mane just above the pommel of the saddle. As soon as Tyson's Creek was reached, the bridge was found to be destroyed. Major Cole's battalion was then ordered to take the ad- vance, General Potter accompanying it, and follow- ing down the stream, General Potter, through infor- mation obtained from an old negro, found a ford and the creek was crossed, guides being stationed at different points to indicate the line of the ford. After crossing, a gallop was taken and kept up all night— the enemy continued firing their artillery in various directions, hoping to strike the column, one shot striking in the road, immediately in front of the right of Major Clarkson's battalion, which was halted, the men being occupied in filling some, ditches with rails, so that the artillery and wagons containing the wounded could pass over. Most of the night's ride was through the woods, so thick that in the morning one-third of the men had lost their hats. Greenville was approached from the north side of the Tar River the next night, and as the Union forces came by one road, a section of Rebel artillery and a small support of cavalry left by another. The planks of the bridge were found on the north side of the river, as the enemy expected them to come from the other way. The night was so dark that it was almost impossible to find the videttes sent out to picket the road, while the bridge was being put in order for the Union troops to cross. Major Clarkson, in visiting some of them, was suddenly halted by a voice in the darkness, challenging him with, "Halt, who goes there?" No picket had been placed there by his direc- tions, and he supposed he was halted by a Rebel vidette. Hastily drawing and cocking his pistol, he replied, "A friend, who are you?" The reply came, "Advance, friend, with the countersign." Slowly moving his horse forward, so that whoever it was might hear the foot-fall of the horse, and so would not shoot, he peered through the darkness, striving to get a view of his challenger, and replied, "Who are you? I am Major Clarkson, of the Twelfth New York Cavalry." The reply came, " I am the Twenty-third New York Cavalry 1 "—from his own battalion. He found that a detail had been taken from that squadron and placed on that road. Calling for the sergeant in charge, he ordered those videttes to be collected to rejoin their command, and by that time the column had begun to cross the bridge, and the officer of the guard was directed to call in all the pickets and get into the column. Some could not be found in the darkness and were left. Near daylight they found that they were alone, and by rapid riding caught up with the coL umn. During that night, after crossing the bridge, while Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis of the Third New 26o CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. York Cavalry was riding with Major Clarkson and the signal officers, who were on the right of the second or middle battalion, and immediately behind a section of the Third New York Artillery, which belonged to the first battalion under Major Cole, the column turned into a road and was soon brought to a halt. As the halt was longer than seemed proper, Colonel Lewis and Major Clarkson rode to the right of the section, and found that it had turned into a wood-road and had come to the end of it. They at once rode to the rear of the battalion, and just then Major Jacobs came up with his battalion from Rocky Mount, having followed them. Colonel Lewis stopped to join Major Jacobs, and Major Clarkson rode on alone, endeavoring to find the place where the turn was made from the direct road. He had no idea where he was, except that he was in North Carolina, and had some time before passed through Greenville, and was trying to get back to New Berne. He rode on, and com- ing to another road, he turned on to that, and rode on seeking for something to indicate whether it was the road over which the first battalion had passed, when a long distance ahead, he could distinguish against the horizon, the form of a man on horse- back; one side of the road was a wood, and on the other open fields. Major Clarkson's horse was on a gallop, and as he approached the man he came to a walk and with cocked pistol called out, "Halt, who goes there? " The reply came, " Can you tell me where Major Clarkson is?" The reply was, " Who are you, what do you want of Major Clark- son ? " The man said, " I am a guide sent by Gen- eral Potter to show Major Clarkson the way." Ma- jor Clarkson said, " I am Major Clarkson, can you take me to General Potter?" He replied, "Yes, I can." " Advance," was the reply, and the Major kept him covered with his pistol until he could make out that at least he was dressed in the uni- form of the Union cavalryman — his speech indi- cated that he was not a Southerner. They joined company and rode back, until Colonel Lewis was found, when Major Clarkson said to him, " Here is a guide sent back by General Potter." Colonel Lewis and Major Jacobs at once followed the guide, while Major Clarkson sought his battalion. Turn- ing up a road he found no soldiers, and fearing he was off the road, he called out, "Twelfth New York Cavalry ? " No reply. He turned back and rode on to the next turn, and up that he went and found his battalion, almost everyone fast asleep. Awaking them he ordered the artillery to counter- march, and coming out upon the road, whereon he found the guide, he turned in that direction, when the signal officers said, " Where are you going, Major : that is not the way." He had narrated the incidents of the night to them as they rode, and as- sured them lie was turning in the correct way. Manj r doubted it and said he was taking them to Libby. He replied, that he was sure that he was on the right road, that his battalion was going that way r , they could take any road they pleased. They did not part company, and as daylight appeared, they could see the prints of horses' shoes in the sand, headed the same way they were traveling. By eight o'clock the battalion of Major Jacobs was overtaken, and just then the company of Loyal North Carolinians, who had the rear, reported that they had been fired upon. An orderly was sent to Colonel Lewis for a company of carbineers, and soon after the} T galloped past to the rear, and the quick firing indicated that they had reached there none too soon. Reaching the neighborhood of Swift's Creek, Gen- eral Potter found that the way back was blocked up by fallen trees, with infantry and artillery. Coun- termarching, he sought the north bank of the Neuse River, some distance up at Street's Ferry. A Lieu- tenant of the Third New York Cavalry essayed to get in past the rebels at Swift Creek, but he was captured. On arriving on the banks of the Neuse a detail was made to fell the trees and make a breast- work with an abattis. Major Clarkson was ap- pointed officer of the day, and directed to keep a squadron ready to charge on a moment's notice. A Lieutenant of the Third New York Cavalry was put in a dug-out with his saddle, and guiding his horse by the bridle, he paddled across the river, his horse swimming, and reaching the opposite bank, set out for New Berne, to notify General Foster of the needs of the raiding party. Not long after their arrival on the banks of the Neuse, the Union pickets were driven in, and a sharp skirmish ensued. Dismount- ing their men, and with the four mountain howitzers of the Third New York Artillery, they held their line until nightfall. During the night they could hear the lumbering of the rebel artillery, and thought they were getting into position, so as to compel a surrender in the early morning if help did not come from New Berne through the Navy. Be- fore daylight they found that the rebels had intelli- gence of what was going on sooner than they did, for the gunboats appeared with a large number of pontoon boats, and without delay a pontoon bridge was laid across the river, over which the column passed, until the last gun and soldier were in the boats, when the ropes were cut, and the line of boats swung into the river, and with the soldiers that were in the boats were towed to New Berne, and that portion which had crossed moved rapidly and safely to New Berne, reaching there on the 24th, CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 26l thus completing one of the most successful raids made by the Union cavalry during the war, march- ing over two hundred miles in six days, the only sleep being that obtained upon the horses while they walked, the loss being about fifty, two-thirds of which occurred in the charge made by Major Clark- son near Tarboro. In August, '63, the six companies (all then in the field) were ordered into a camp of instruction, owing to the bad discipline of some of the captains, and early in September they returned to headquarters, near New Berne. While in this camp, where the command was drilled for three months, five additional companies reported. Ma- jor Clarkson was the only field officer present, and, in addition to daily drills and schools of instruction for the officers, supplies of arms and accoutrements had to be procured, and incompetent officers sent be- fore the Board of Examination. A section of horse artillery, with twelve-pound mountain howitzers on wheels, was organized and drilled, and proved a valuable addition to the regiment. In November the camp of instruction was broken up. Six com- panies were sent to Plymouth, Washington and Newport Barracks, and with five companies Major Clarkson was sent to the outposts of New Berne. In December, 18G3, the Twelfth Company joined the command, and with it came the Colonel and other first officers and the regimental staff. On February 1, 1864, New Berne was attacked in force, and all of the Union troops were compelled to retire within the fortifications. Major Clarkson was on leave at that time. On June 14, 1864, by Special Order No. 50, Headquarters Sub-District of New Berne, he was appointed Assistant Inspector-General on the staff of Brigadier-General Edward llarland, com- manding the Sub-District of New Berne : and he occasionally acted as Inspector-General of the Dis- trict of North Carolina, Brigadier-General lunis N. Palmer commanding. The duties of Assistant In- spector-General were very arduous. New Berne was protected by nine forts, one of seventeen guns, and a careful inspection of these forts with their garrisons occupied many days ; on some days the riding was thirty miles, and not more than twelve or fifteen companies inspected. In the fall of that year, September, the fearful plague of yellow fever appeared in the town of New Berne, and raged with great fatality for quite three months, and until the freezing weather set in. Major Clarkson was stricken with it in October. So severe was the sick- ness that at one time the headquarters had to be re- moved to a different part of the town, and General Harland was seen doing the work of the office him- self. Every staff officer was sick with the fever. During the year 1864 the regiment was actively em- ployed, and was very successful in breaking up the camps of the enemy. More than three hundred prisoners were brought in. In February, 1865, the force at New Berne was reinforced in anticipation of the movementto meet General Sherman at Golds- boro. The Twenty-third Corps, under the com- mand of Major-General Cox, arrived, and Major- General John M. Schofield also reached New Berne to take command of the District and of the force that moved towards Goldsboro. Major Clarkson, on the 21st of February, 1865, resigned his commis- sion as Major of the Twelfth New York Volunteer Cavalry, to take effect March 15, 1865, or after the pending operations were completed, in order to avail himself of a business opportunity offered him in New York City. The resignation was approved by the Colonel of the regiment, and by Brigadier- General Edward Harland, but Brigadier-General Innis N. Palmer, commanding the District of North Carolina, placed upon it the following endorsement: "This cannot be approved at this time; Major Clarkson is too valuable an officer to be spared now." General Palmer was a graduate of West Point, and in the regular army was a cavalry officer. The resignation was returned from the headquar- ters, " Army of the Ohio," disapproved. When the orders came for the advance upon Kingston, Major Clarkson resigned his staff appointment, asking that he might do duty with his regiment. General Harland acceded to this request, and the Twelfth New York Cavalry was directed by General Scho- field to advance on the Trent River road, on March 3, 1865, while the infantry column advanced on the Neuse River road, having as their advance the troop of Loyal North Carolinians under Captain Graham. Major Clarkson took command of the advance of the Twelfth Cavalry, and reached Wise's Forks with Troop G just after the other column had ar- rived. On March 7, General Palmer ordered him to take a troop of his cavalry, and with four compa- nies of the One Hundred and Thirty-second New York Volunteers, and one gun of the Third New York. Artillery, develop the force that was ha mis- sing the command. Major Clarkson pushed the enemy so severely that with very slight loss he had his skirmishers commanding the bridge across North West Creek, the only force opposing him being some dismounted cavalry, really infantry, who had horses merely as a means of locomotion. Just as he was withdrawing his skirmishers, so as to return and report his operations, an orderly rode up, asking for information. A reply was sent, and very quickly the orderly returned, his horse in a lather, with orders to replace the skirmishers and hold the ground until relieved by a brigade. Colo- 262 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. nel Upham, commanding a brigade, consisting of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, Fifteenth Con- necticut and a battalion of recruits, convalescents and others, going to join their regiments in Sher- man's army, soon after relieved Major Clarkson's command. This brigade was a mile and more to the front of the main line of battle, which was pro- tected by a log breastwork, with the ditch out- side, and an abattis. During the night the left was picketed by Major Clarkson's battalion, and a pa- trol under Captain Hock, of F troop, was kept scouting. Early in the morning a battalion of rebel infantry presented themselves at a ford to the left and front of Upham's brigade, and Major Clarkson dismounted a squadron to check their crossing the ford. A severe skirmish ensued, but the enemy did not cross. From prisoners captured it was learned that it was the Sixty-first North Carolina of Hoke's Division. Major Clarkson reported a column mov- ing beyond his left to the rear. Colouel Savage sent out Major West, with four companies of the Twelfth New York Cavalry, to make a reconnoisance be- yond the line of pickets. They had not proceeded far when they discovered signs of a movement in large force towards New Berne, beyond their left. They returned and one of the Captains notifying Major Clarkson of what they had discovered, he at once informed Colonel Batcheler, commanding the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, and sug- gested that he change front to the rear, and then ordered up his two mountain howitzers under Lieu- tenant Fish and placed them in front of the Twenty- seventh Massachusetts. A short time elapsed be- fore the cavalry videttes reported, "Johnnies passing past the rear," and these reports were soon followed by shots and a volley. One battalion of the Fif- teenth Connecticut came up on the left of the Twen- ty-seventh Massachusetts, and for a short time the contest was severe. At the first volley the led horses galloped past the line of infantry and took the road to the main line of battle, and thus escaped. Major Clarkson sent his bugler for the mounted cavalry to report to him behind the line of battle formed by the infantry, so as to charge up the road and get out. Captain Home took the mounted men past the rear and around the left ; Lieutenant Fish re- ported that he had used up all his cannister and grape, thirty pounds to a gun. Major Clarkson di- rected him to cut his spherical case fuses as short ae possible, and " give it to them." The horses had been shot down and the cannoniers were being badly cut up, and there was no chance to save the guns. A rebel column was crossing the Northwest creek, behind their position, only opposed by a bat- talion of the Fifteenth Connecticut and recruits of the Army of the Cumberland, and it was only a question of a short time when the rebel division would have the brigade as prisoners. Major Clark- son's horse had been shot in the neck, his windpipe cut. So he concluded it best to follow his cavalry. Calling his orderly, he went to the rear and around the left, coming out upon an open field, and as he galloped on to that, in the direction of the balance of the army, he saw that there was stretched across the field three lines of rebel skirmishers. With pis- tol in hand, he galloped through them, firing as he went, as did also his orderly. His horse saw a ditch that ran across the field, gathered for it and cleared it. The question then was, where to go. The field was bounded by timber, which, to Major Clarkson's eye, indicated water j and not a blue coat was in sight. Just then two riderless horses came out of the timber and they had on Yankee saddles. Ma- jor Clarkson headed for that place, and entering the woods, he soon found the left of the cavalry, which was making its way through a swampy piece of woods. Crossing that, they saw the line of Yan- kee earth works, which proved to be the extreme right of their main line of battle, commanded by Brigadier-General I. N. Palmer. Finding some loyal North Carolina cavalry there, he had their veterina- rian cut out the bullet from his horse's neck, which lay just under the skin. After capturing Colonel Upham's brigade the rebels faced about and at- tacked the main line, and were only finally repulsed when Ruger's division of the Twenty-third Corps came up on the double quick and occupied the center, filling out and making a continuous line of battle. A few days after, the army, under Major- General Schofield, entered Kinston on a pontoon bridge, where they rested some days until the rail- road was fully completed to that place, and meas- ures were taken to be able to build beyond as soon as the army advanced. One battalion of the Twelfth New York Cavalry was placed on each of the three roads entering Kinston. Major Clarkson was on the left. While there a black boy was brought in, from whom by severe pressure Major Clarkson as- certained the location of the camp of the Second North Carolina rebel cavalry — about ninety men — with the Lieutenant-Colonel in command, who was. said to be a desperate fighter. Major Clarkson rode over to Colonel Savage's headquarters and arranged that he, with some of the other troops of the regi- ment, and with such part of Major Clarkson's bat- talion as could be spared, in all about one hun- dred and fifty men, would attempt to surprise the Second North Carolinians, taking the negro as a guide. The next day, March 17, Colonel Savage came with the detail from the two other battalions,. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK 263 and placing Major Clarkson with his men in the ad- vance, set out for the camp of the Second North Carolinians, at New Hope Chapel. The guide took them a long distance around, and as the road went over a hill, said to Major Clarkson, that the rebel videttes were across a stream of water which ran at the foot of the hill on the further side. Major Clark- son halted, and the men dismounted, and arranged the saddle blankets and tightened the girths, and the column started well closed up, Major Clarkson with the advance, which he ordered to charge on seeing the rebel videttes, and endeavor to capture them before they could reach the camp, the Colonel to bring forward the balance of the column as rap- idly as possible. Just as the Yankees crossed the summit of the hill the videttes (six) were seen lead- ing out their horses, and the charge was begun ; into the water up to the horses' bellies the platoon dashed, across it and after them, capturing three. The camp was expected to be found on the left, the Union troops coming in between the country and the camp, but in the many paths through the woods made for getting out the tar and lumber, they got wrong and just as they were about ceasing the run to assume a skirmish form, they saw the Second North Carolinians on their right, just having re- ceived the alarm. The charge was shouted, and with a huzza and with pistols the platoon of twenty- five men dashed into the enemy, shooting and cap- turing. No resistance to speak of was met, and after a run of a mile, and only two or three men with Major Clarkson being left together, a halt was called and the- prisoners were being got together (as a counter charge was feared) when the column under Colonel Savage appeared on the road behind them. Waving them forward they dashed past and brought out the surgeon and some more prisoners. They captured thirty prisoners and no one hurt on their side. The surgeon notified them that they would not get back to Kinston with them, as there would be a rescue. Putting the prisoners under the care of a Lieutenant with a platoon, they were sent to the head of the column, while a strong rearguard was formed, and dispositions made to meet any at- tack. They got back without a shot being fired. The next day the Union forces moved forward towards Goldsboro, and found that the First South Carolina Cavalry had relieved the Second North Carolinians, and no more was heard of that regi- ment. A few days after the army occupied Golds- boro, the Twelfth New York Cavalry, covering the right flank of the army as it moved in column, had a slight skirmish with the First South Carolina Cavalry, that regiment being the only troops left there. General Sherman's army in a few days reached Goldsboro, where they remained for some time. Various expeditions were sent out to break up the camps of guerillas. General Schofield also sent Colonel Savage an order " to take his regiment (Twelfth New York Cavalry) out, find the First South Carolina Cavalry and whip them." Only about eight companies were at headquarters, and the battery under Fish was lost, but with these Colonel Savage followed the First South Carolina Cavalry until approaching Raleigh, when evidences of Wheeler's Cavalry were getting too frequent to make it wise for so small a command to penetrate farther. He therefore ordered a return of the regi- ment to Goldsboro. The regiment was then ordered to picket the railroad from Goldsboro to Kinston, about twenty-six miles. The headquarters were at Moseley Hall, and companies were distributed at various points, protecting the railroad, while sup- plies were going forward to clothe and feed Sher- man's army, and fill their ammunition trains. Dur- ing this service scarcely a night passed that the pickets were not driven in, or some of them cap- tured by Wheeler's Cavalry. Johnston, having on the 13th of April, 1865, indicated his desire to sur- render to General Sherman, Major Clarkson, about the 21st day of April, 1865, resigned his commission as Major, the acceptance of which was received April 30, 1865, and he immediately left Goldsboro for New Berne, thence to New York, reaching there on the 8th of May. Major Clarkson was breveted Lieutenant-Colonel on the 22d of April, 1866, " for faithful and meritorious services." He at once entered the flour commission house of George W. Van Boskerck & Company as cashier, and con- tinued in that capacity until their assignment in February, 1869. The Equitable Savings Bank be- ing organized on the 26th of June, 1869, he was offered the Secretaryship, which he accepted and retained until April, 1874, when he resigned, and in December of the same year he became the Secretary and Agent, of Woodbury G. Langdon, Esq. In the fall of '73 he opened a real estate office in No. 60 Wall Street, moved to No. 71 Broadway the follow- ing May, and in November, 1881, to No. 39 Broad- way, where he still carries on the real estate busi- ness, having on May 1, 1884, associated with him his son, John V. B. Clarkson, under the firm of Floyd Clarkson & Son. On the 17th of November, 1886, he was elected Trustee of the Union Dime Savings Bank of the city of New York. In Novem- ber, 1886, the Riverside Bank of New York was or- ganized, and Colonel Floyd Clarkson was elected President, opening for business on the 11th of Janu- ary, 1887. Colonel Clarkson has always been an earnest Freemason. He was initiated in Montauk 264 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Lodge, No. 286, of Brooklyn, on February 5, 1856: passed April 8, and raised December 3, 1856; on the 13th of April, 1856, he dimitted, and on the 26th of the same month, 1850, he affiliated with Kane Lodge, 454, then under dispensation. He was appointed Marshal December 27, 1856, and again on December 13, 1866; he was elected Secretary of Kane Lodge on December 16, 1873, re-elected December 15, 1874, again December 18, 1877 and re-elected December ! 17, 1878. He was elected Senior 'Warden December 21, 1880, and Master December 20, 1881, and re- elected December 19, 1882. He was appointed Dis- trict Deputy Grand Master of the Sixth Masonic District, June 21, 1883, by M. W. Grand Master J. ! Edward Simmons, and in the following year, June i 4, 1884, was elected one of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fuud to serve for three years, and was elected by the Trustees President of the Board in each of the years in which he was a Trustee. When he assumed the care and responsi- j bility of that Fund, the fifth story of the Masonic Hall was in a ruinous condition, from the effects of the fire of December, 1883. Scarcely anything had been done towards the restoration of the building ; and in eight months 1$ 153,500 seven per cent, income bonds were to mature. Colonel Clarkson, with his colleagues, restored the temple, paid $75,000 of the bond at maturity, and renewed #78,500 at five per j cent, for one and two years; and so placed the finances of that Fund that at the expiration of his [ term of service, in June, 1887, the following resolu- tions were unanimously passed by the Grand Lodge, at the annual communication of that year; on the motion of R. W. George W. Robertson, of Peekskill : "Resolved, That the presentation, by our Brother R. W. Floyd Clarkson, of his intimation, that in- creasing pressure of business engagements prevented his continuance in the office of Trustee of the Hall and Asylum Fund. It is our desire to express to Brother Clarkson the very high regard in which he is held by the fraternity of the State of New York, for the faithful, careful and judicious course pur- sued by him as Trustee during the years in which he has served this Grand Lodge, and for which we will ever hold him in grateful esteem. At the same session of the Grand Lodge, the Com- mittee on Hall and Asylum, of which Past Grand Master William A. Brodie, of Genesee, New York, was Chairman, among their various recommenda- tions, presented the following, which was unani- mously adopted : "Resolved, That this Grand Lodge, with regret, contemplates the retirement of R. W. Floyd Clark- son from the Board of Trustees of the Hall and Asylum Fund, recognizing that to him, more than to any other individual, we are indebted for bring- ing business order out of chaos, and for the adop- tion of business methods in the management of this building and the Hall and Asylum Fund. 11 Resolved, That the thanks of the fraternity in this Grand Jurisdiction are due, and are hereby ten- dered to R. W. Floyd Clarkson, for his most valua- ble services in this great work. Freemasonry was the subject of an earnest debate in the General Synod of the " Reformed Dutch Church in America." held in June, 1880, in the First Reformed Church of Brooklyn, Long Island. Colo- nel Clarkson was a delegate to that Synod from the Classis of New York, and took an active part in the debate. Some Hollandish delegates, from the Classes of Holland, Grand River, Wisconsin and Illinois, urged that no Freemason should be allowed to become a member of that communion, and intro- duced the following resolutions : "Resolved, That this Synod earnestly warns the church against membership in this and similar asso- ciations, as inconsistent with Christianity, and en- joins upon the ministers and elders of our church patiently to instruct such as err in this matter, and to preserve, if need be, by discipline, the purity of the Christian profession." These were voted down, and resolutions, as re- ported by the committee, were adopted, maintaining the sacredness of individual liberty of thought, speech and action, limited only by loyalty to Christ and His Church. Colonel Clarkson united with the First Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn, on the 22d of January, 1850, and was a teacher in the Sab- bath-school until his father's family removed to New York City, when he transferred his member- ship to the Collegiate North Church, corner of Ful- ton aud William Streets. After his marriage he, in April, 1858, took his certificate to the North West Reformed Church, in West Twenty-third Street, Rev. H. D. Ganse, pastor, now the Madison Avenue Reformed Church, corner Fifty-seventh Street and Madison Avenue. In 1867 he was elected Superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school, which office he re- signed on his removal to East Orange, May 1, 1869. During the summer he was presented with a series of beautifully engrossed resolutions, adopted by the teachers May 11, 1869. On his return to New York, in April, 1871, and resuming his attendance at the church, then removed to the new location, corner Madison Avenue and Fifty-seventh Street, he was elected Superintendent, which office he retained until February, 1873, when he declined a re-election. He was elected a Deacon February 12, 1872, and an Elder February 14, 1877, and continued in active- service as Elder during most of the time, until June, 1888, when he resigned. Colonel Clarkson was elected a Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, in the New York Commandery, CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. on the 2d of April, 1879, and has been an active member since that time. He was elected the Chan- cellor of the New York Commandery on the 2d of May, 1883, and was re-elected four times, when he declined further re-nomination. He was also one of the six Companions of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion who were detailed, on the death of General U. S. Grant, to proceed to Mount McGregor and act, in behalf of that Order, as the escort of the remains of the great General to their final resting- place at Riverside. This he did, and in his turn stood guard over the precious dust of his immortal chieftain in the railroad train, in the Capitol at Albany, in the City Hall of New York, and followed the body to the tomb at Riverside. In the Grand Army he was a Charter Member of Lafayette Post, 140, Department of New York, and was its first Junior Vice-Commander; and the following year was elected Senior Vice-Commander. Duties in other societies prevented his continuing an active member, but in December, 1887, he was elected Commander and re-elected the following year. During his service as Commander he received the Commander-in-Chief, Comrade John P. Rae, on January 20, 1888 ; Commander-in-Chief. William Warner, on November 30, 1888: and Commander- in-Chief, Russell A. Alger, October 16, 1889; on be- half of Lafayette Post he received a National flag and Post flag, presented to that Post on behalf of the ladies, by Past Commander W. F. Brown ; as Commander of that Post, he presented to the Col- lege of the City of New York, in the Academy of Music, on the 8th of June, 1888, a National flag, the President of that College, Major-General Alexander S. Webb, receiving the same. This was the inaugu- ration of the presenting, to the public schools of our country, of National flags by the veterans of the war of the Rebellion. At the Twenty-third Annual En- campment of the Department of New York, G A.R., held in Binghamton, New York, on the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1889, Colonel Floyd Clarkson was nominated for Commander of the Department. There were five others nominated, and on the first ballot Floyd Clarkson received three hundred and eleven, Harri- son Clark two hundred and six, and the others re- spectively one hundred and forty-six, ninety-four, fifty and forty — total, eight hundred and forty-seven. The four who received the lowest number of votes withdrew their names, and on a second ballot Floyd Clarkson received three hundred and seventy-three ; Harrison Clark three hundred and eighty-one ; I scattering six. Total, seven hundred and sixty. On May 30, Memorial Day, 1889, Colonel Clarkson commanded Lafayette Post on its visit to Philadel- phia, as the guests of Geo. G. Meade Post, No. 1, Department of Pennsylvania, to decorate the grave of that great commander of the Army of the Poto- mac—Major-General George G. Meade. Colonel Clarkson is also a member of the "Veterans of the Seventh Regiment," N.G S.N. Y., and of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, and is President of the Society of the War Veterans of the Seventh Regiment. He is also a life member of the New York Historical Society, and a life member of the St. Nicholas Society, and a member of the Metro- politan Museum of Art; and the New York Genea- logical and Biographical Society. He is also Vice-President of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution. He has been an active and earnest Republican for more than a score of years. In his younger days he was a Whig, serving as Chairman of the Assembly Convention in the Seventh Ward soon after attaining his majority. He voted in 1860 for the Hon. John Bell for President. Not approv- ing of the reconstruction measures, or of the tenden- cy of Congress to shorten or control the powers of the Presidency, and to give an undue power to Con- gress, he voted the Democratic ticket. But when General Grant became the nominee of the Republi- can party, he voted with that party, aoid has with each succeeding election become more satisfied that the interests of the Nation and of every individual in it would be best advanced by the dominance of the principles of the Republican party. To that end he has earnestly labored. He is a member of the Republican Club, and of the Down Town Republi- can Club, and of the District Committee and of the County Committee; being for two years, 1887 and 1888, the executive member from the Twenty-first Assembly District. Upon the appointment of the Citizen's Committee for the Centennial Celebration of the inauguration of General George Washington as the first President of the United States, Colonel Clarkson was appointed one of that Committee, and was placed upon the Committee on States. He was active in performing all the duties that devolved upon the members of that important Committee, and with his colleagues endeavored to make the celebra- tion as broadly National as possible. He was selected by the Committee on States as Marshal of the President's escort on his arrival in the city, which selection was confirmed by the Committee on Plan and Scope. Upon the President's lauding, Monday, April 29, at the foot of Wall Street, he was received by the Chairman of the Committee on States, William G. Hamilton, Esq., and as he ap- peared in his carriage at the foot of Wall Street, in front of the escort, he was welcomed with the National salute, and escorted by the column under 266 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the command of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Floyd Clarkson to the Equitable Building, thence to the City Hall, and then to the house of the Vice-Presi- dent, Hon. Levi P. Morton, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Sixteenth Street. The escort consisted of a battalion of three companies of the Fifth United States Artillery, under the command of Major Tully McCrea; a representation of the New York Com- mandery, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, under the command of Colonel Wm. C. Church ; the Com- manders of the Posts of the Grand Army of the Re- public of the counties of New York, Kings, Queens, Richmond and Westchester, under the command of Colonel W. P. Walton and Captain Henry W. Knight: the uniformed Battalion of the Veterans of the Seventh Regiment, N.G.S.N.Y., under General Henry E. Tremain, and a uniformed Battalion of National Guard Veterans (Fifth, Ninth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, Twenty-third, Sixty-ninth and Seventy- first Regiments) under the command of General Theodore B. Gates ; the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, under the command of Major Jno. J. Riker. The New York Troop of Horse, under Cap- tain Charles F. Roe, and the Cleveland Troop of Horse, under Captain George Garrettson, joined the escort at the City Hall Park. Colonel Clarkson had the assistance of the following veterans as Aids : — Major L. Curtis Brackett, Assistant-Adjutant Gen- eral ; Colonel O. W. Leonard, U. S. Volunteers ; Major George M. VanHoesen, U. S. Volunteers; Captain James D. Bell, U. S. Volunteers ; Engineer Aaron Vanderbilt, U. S. Navy ; Captain Joseph H. DeCastro, U. S. Volunteers. Colonel Clarkson was also appointed an Aid on the staff of Major-General John M. Schofield, and also an Aid on the staff of Major-General Daniel Butterfield, for the parade of April 30 and May 1, respectively. Under the date of May 9, 1889, the following letter was received by him : Colonel Floyd Clakkson, My dear Sir:— At the request of Elbridge T. Gerry, Chairman of the Executive Committee, I take pleasure in writing to you to express the warmest and heartiest thanks of the Committee for the ser- vices rendered by you during the celebration. The Committee appreciates most heartily what you have done, and we feel that the success of the celebra- tion is due, to a large degree, to the part performed by yourself . I have the honor to remain, Very truly yours, Clarence W. Bowen, Secretary. At the request of many active and prominent comrades of the Grand Army, Colonel Clarkson be- came a candidate for Department Commander, State of New York, at the Twenty-fourth Annual Encampment of the G.A.R., State of New York, held at Syracuse, February 26 and 27, 1890. His ticket was defeated, but his own personal popularity carried his name so far ahead of his ticket as to elect him triumphantly on the first ballot, the vote being : Floyd Clarkson four hundred and seventy- three; Joseph AY. Kay, two hundred and sixty-one; J. Wesley Smith, fifty: Martin T. McMahon, twenty- eight— total, eight hundred and twelve. He was duly installed as Department Commander by Past Commander James S. Fraser, February 26, 1890. WILCOX, COLONEL VINCENT MEIGS, of New York City, President of the corporation E. & H. T. Anthony it Co. — the largest photographic supply house in the world — and late commander of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, was born at Madison, New Haven County, Connecticut, on October 17, 1828. On both the paternal and maternal side and through the intermarriage of ancestors he is de- scended from and connected with several of the old- est and most honored families of New England. The genealogy of the Wilcox family states that it was seated at Bury Saint Edmunds in the county of Suffolk, England, before the advent of William the Conqueror. Sir John Wilcox, of this family, was intrusted during the reign of Edward III. with several important commands against the French, and was the leader of the cross-bowmen of the Eng- lish army. One of the descendants of this doughty knight, named William Wilcox, was born at St. Albans, Hertfordshire, at the beginning of the seventeenth century and came to America in the ship " Planter," bearing with him a certificate from the minister of his native place. The records show that he settled at Stratford, Connecticut, in what was the New Haven Colony, in 1639, and that in 1647 he was a Representative in the "General Court" at Hartford. His son Obadiah was the first of the family to settle at East Guilford, now Madi- son, Connecticut, and from him Colonel Wilcox de- scends in the fifth generation. On the maternal side Colonel Wilcox descends from Vincent Meigs, an- other early settler of Guilford, Connecticut, who came from England in 1638. Among the descend- ants of this ancestor were Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs, of Revolutionary fame; Josiah Meigs, a dis- tinguished scholar, at one time a professor in Yale College, and afterwards President of the University of Georgia ; Hon. Return J. Meigs, who filled the high office of Postmaster-General of the United States and was Governor of Ohio: Charles D. Meigs, M.D., an American physician and author of wide Atlantic Fut/tishmo StEngrairirig CttNY. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 267 repute, who was for many years a professor in Jef- ferson Medical College, and Quartermaster-General Montgomery Meigs of the United States Army. Through his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Olive Dowd Wilcox, Colonel Wilcox descends from Henry Doude, who came from Surrey or Kent, England, "probably Guilford, of Surrey County, seventeen miles southwest of -London," in 1630, with a colony under the leadership of the Rev. Henry Whitfield, and settled in Guilford, Connecticut. His maternal grandmother was Mrs. Mary Field Meigs, a daugh- ter of Captain Timothy Field, a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary War, and sister of the Rev. David Dudley Field, D.D., the father of Cyrus W. Field, who laid the first Atlantic cable, of the Hon. David Dudley Field, the eminent lawyer, of the Hon. Stephen J. Field, of the Supreme Court of the United States, and of the Rev. Henry M. Field, D.D., editor of the New York EmngelM. His parents were Zenas and Lovisa (Meigs) Wilcox. The for- mer, born at Madison, Connecticut, in 1794, was a prosperous farmer and a man of integrity and influ- ence in the community in which he resided. For manj- years preceding his death, which occurred in 1873, he held the office of Deacon in the Congrega- tional Church at Madison. His wife died in 1878. They left two sons and two daughters. Vincent Meigs, the eldest son and subject of this sketch, grew up upon the parental farm. He received a good education, which was finished at Lee's Academy in his native place, and in early manhood taught school for three years. Subsequently he became a merchant in Madison, and acquired considerable prominence in local affairs. He served as a mem- ber of the Board of Education for two years and at later periods held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Treasurer of the School Fund and Town Treasurer. He also became connected, as Lieutenant, with the Madison Light Guard, a company of the Second Regiment of Connecticut Militia, commanded from 1856 to 1860 by Colonel Alfred H. Terry, who be- came distinguished in the War of the Rebellion and rose to the rank of Major-Geueral in the United States Army. While connected with this military organization he had the advantage of a thorough course of tactical instruction under General Hardee, the accomplished author of Hardee's Tactics (after- wards a General in the " Confederate " service) who had been employed by the Slate authorities of Con- necticut to drill the officers of the militia, with a view to raising its standard of efficiency. In 1860 Mr. Wilcox removed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was conducting a flourishing mercantile busi- ness in that city when the Civil War opened. Join- ing a company of young men, hastily organized in Scranton to prepare for service in the army, his mili- tary knowledge was soon discovered and he was in- duced to instruct his associates in the art of war. This task he gladly assumed ; and so successful was he in imparting his skill and enthusiasm to his pupils that forty-eight out of the seventy-five members of the company became officers in the Union Army, and a number of them served with prominence and dis- tinction on many a hard fought battle-field. On May 13, 1862, Lieut. Wilcox was appointed on the staff of Brigadier-General A. N. Meylert, as Brigade Judge-Advocate, with the rank of Major. Opon the formation of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel R. A. Oakford was placed in command, Major Wilcox was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel and Charles Al- bright, Major. On the 19th of August, 1862. the regiment moved to the front, passing through Wash- ington, crossing the Potomac and encamping at Fort Corcoran, opposite the capital " where instruc- tions and drill were immediately commenced and practiced under the inspiring music of the guns of Bull Run and Chantilly." The following particulars regarding Colonel Wilcox's military career have been gathered from the historical works entitled "Martial Deeds of Penns)dvania," "The National Memorial to the Soldiers in our Civil War," and other valuable publications relating to the War of the Rebellion. On the evening of September 2, 1862, the "One Hundred and Thirty-second" made a march of twenty-two miles to Rockville, Mary- laud, and was assigned to Kimball's Brigade of French's Division, Sumner's Corps. On the 13th of September it made a forced march of thirty-three miles, reaching the battlefield of South Mountain just as the fighting for the day had closed. It par- ticipated in the pursuit of the enemy across Antie- tam Creek, and sustained a severe though harmless shell fire on the afternoon of the 16th. At nine o'clock on the memorable 17th of September, at the battle of Antietam, the regiment met the enemy at close quarters and was for the first time under direct fire. Occupying a position on the left of Kimball's Brigade, it dashed forward with enthusi- asm with the other regiments of this gallant com- mand, which was ordered to lengthen the Union line to the south and resist the terrible pressure of the "Confederates" upon French's Division. This brigade became engaged along the whole front in a contest of the utmost fierceness. The Union line had been broken in other parts, but if this section of it could be held there was a chance of regaining the portion lost. It was of the utmost importance to hold it, as it was the key to the Union position. While the line of battle was being formed Colonel 268 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Oakford, who led the regiment, fell, . mortally wounded, and the command devolved upon Lieu- teuant-Colonel Wilcox. For four hours the regi- ment maintained its position without wavering. In the crisis of the battle Colonel Wilcox received or- ders from General Kimball to hold the ground to the last extremity. When this order arrived, the ammunition had all been exhausted. Colonel Wil- cox bethought him of using that in the cartridge boxes of the dead and wounded, and bravely kept up the right. When the last shot had been fired he reported the fact to General Kimball, but instead of being relieved he was directed to charge the enemy. Ordering his men to fix bayonets, he gallantly led them in the charge, which was made with such fierceness that the "Confederates " were driven from their position, capturing a Colonel and several men as prisoners. During this long and terrible battle- one of the most blood3 r recorded in history — Colonel Wilcox exercised his responsible duties with skill and fidelity, and although his men were not inured to lighting, they stuck to their task like veterans and held their position against repeated attacks of an experienced foe. For four hours the regiment maintained a hard tight without wavering, and at length, with ammunition exhausted and ranks shat- tered, was relieved by the Irish Brigade under Gen- eral Meagher and retired in good order. Its loss was thirty killed, one hundred and fourteen wound- ed, and eight missing. In his official report General Kimball said: "Every man of my command be- haved in the most exemplary manner and as men who had determined to save their country or die." An eye witness, speaking of the Confederate losses at this point, said : "A glance at the position of the rebels tells how terrible was the punishment inflicted on them. The corn fields on the front are strewn with their dead and wounded, and in the ditch first occupied by them, the bodies are so numerous that they seem to have fallen in line of battle." At the close of the battle Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox was promoted to the rank of Colonel, to date from the day of this memorable battle, as an acknowledg- ment of his bravery and merit. From Antietani the Union army crossed to Bolivar Heights, and Colo- nel Wilcox was on court-martial duty for about a month. In October following, the "One Hundred and Thirty-second," as a part of Kimball's Brigade, participated in the reconnoissance to Leesburg, twenty-five miles distant. The fatigue of a forced march at that season of the year resulted in Colonel Wilcox being prostrated by severe illness. He was placed in a farm house on the west side of the Potomac, where he received the best of treat- ment. In the meantime the Union pickets were driven in, and Colonel Wilcox was left within the enemy's lines. For a time the danger of cap- ture was imminent, and was provided against, as far as possible, by the secretion of his uniform ; but the re-establishing of the Union line soon afterwards, by order of General French, the division comman- der, somewhat lessened this danger. On the 31st of October the army moved toward the Rappahannock, and Colonel Wilcox was soon after taken to the Officers' Seminary Hospital near Washington. When able to make the journey North, he was granted a short leave of absence, at the expiration of which he promptly returned to Washington and reported for duty. But disease and suffering had done their work and the examining surgeon refused to peruut him to go to the front. This was a great disap- pointment not only to Colonel Wilcox, but also to the officers and men of his command. Lieu- tenant-Colonel Albright, writing from camp at Belle Flains, Yirginia, November 28, 1802, said: " I should like to see you here, as I know all the boys would, but believe me, I am afraid to have you come on account of your health. * * * You i afe known to be a brave, capable and efficient offi- cer and beloved by all, and you can do nothing that will make you more so." In January, 1863, being unable to rejoin his command, Colonel Wilcox ten- dered his resignation, and returned home. Chap- lain A. H. Schoonmaker, of his old regiment, writ- ing to him from the same camp, November 25, 18C2, alluding to the active preparations then making in the Union army for the great battle of Fredericks- burg, in which battle the "One hundred and Thirty-second " participated with extreme gal- lantry, said : " It may be the decisive battle of the war. I very much regret that you are not with us, enjoying as good health as you did at Antietani. I have no doubt our present officers will do well, but I think there is no man living under whom this regiment would fight with as much confidence as yourself." The same gentleman, writing from Fal- mouth, Yirginia, January 14, 1863, said : " I am sorry to learn that continued ill-health has rendered it necessary for you to resign the command of this regiment. I feel as much as yourself, disappointed that your relations, all of which have been so pleas- j ant, should be broken up with the regiment during an active campaign ; but we must all bow in sub- mission to the will of Him who is too wise to err and too good to be unkind ; and I have frequently heard Colonel Albright express his earnest wish for 3'our return." " His service," says Samuel B. Bates, in the "Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania," j " though brief, was marked by a full measure of devotion and contributed not a little to the fortu- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 269 nate result of the campaign." His brother, Cap- tain Charles M. Wilcox, of New York City and Passaic, New Jersey, also served in the Union army. He commanded Company I of the Twenty-seventh Connecticut Volunteers. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Chaucellorsville and confined in Libby prison but was finally released on parole. After- wards he was for several months Provost Marshal at Hartford, Connecticut. After a brief sojourn in his native place, Colonel Wilcox removed to New York and accepted a responsible position with Messrs. Edward and Henry T. Anthony, extensive manufacturers of and dealers in photographic sup- plies, then doing business at 501 Broadway. This business, founded by Mr. Edward Anthony soon after the discovery of Daguerre, had been pushed with true American zeal, and at the time Colonel Wilcox became connected with it was already of large proportions. Originally established at 308 Broadway, its removal to 501 in the same thorough- fare was rendered necessary by its large increase. In 1865 Mr. William H. Badeau, a trusted employee of the firm, was admitted to partnership. He retired in 1875. In 1870 Colonel Wilcox was admitted to the firm and seven years later, when it was first incorporated, he became Secretary of the company, Mr. Edward Anthony taking the Presidency and \ Mr. H. T. Anthony, the Vice-Presidency. In 1884, on the death of Mr. H. T. Anthony, Colonel Wilcox I became Vice-President, and Richard A. Anthony, son of Edward Anthony, became Secretary. In 1888 Mr. Edward Anthony, the able and honored founder of the house, died. Colonel Wilcox now became President and Treasurer; Mr. R. A. An- thony, Vice-President, and Mr. Frederick A. An- thony, nephew of the founder, Secretary. Within ten years after the first experiments in the new art, Mr. Edward Anthony's business as manufacturer and importer of photographic materials had become the largest in the world, and this distinguished position his successors still hold. At the present location, No. 591 Broadway, New York, four stories of the great building running completely through the block to Mercer Street, are used for nothing but the business of the company. The manufacture of apparatus and chemicals is conducted in factories located in Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken and in King Street, near Greenwich Street, New York. From the very beginning of the business it has always been the endeavor of those conducting it to educate photographers and to stimulate them in experiment and research. In very early times Mr. Edward Anthony offered prizes for excellence of results in photography and to-day those conducting the great house that he founded still believe in the same methods, realizing that their advancement depends upon the progress of those whom thej serve. During his early years Mr. Edward Anthonj kept photographers informed of improvements in the art, by publishing a little pamphlet containing new and useful information. This small effort grew into Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, which started in 1870 under the editorship of Mr. Henry T. Anthony, The good work done by this publica- tion can scarcely be realized, and it is only when the veterans in the art look back over the departed years that they become cognizant of the value of this journal as a helpmate in their daily professional life. The efforts of Mr. H. T. Anthony advanced the Bulletin to the rank of the first American au- thority 011 photographic subjects, and to-day it cir- culates .ill over the world, its articles being freely copied into all the European journals devoted to photography and cognate arts. Since the death of Mr. II. T. Anthony the Bulletin has been edited by Professor C. F. Chandler and Doctor Arthur H. Elliot. From the earliest period in its history the generous and honorable spirit, of the house of An- thony has had its reward, and its name is held in highest esteem by every photographer in America and large numbers in other parts of the world. As rewards for its progress in manufacturing it holds medals obtained in Berlin and Vienna, and also those of the Franklin and American Institutes. One of its latest honors was the medal of the Pho- tographers' Association of America for the best improvement in photographic apparatus in the year 1887. By sterling merit Colonel Wilcox has risen to be the head of this long established, widely- known and pre-eminent house. He has pursued with undeviating firmness, the liberal and honora- ble policy of its distinguished founders, being ably seconded in his endeavors not only by his partners, but as well by all connected with the house, who, with him, feel the responsibility of holding its fair fame untarnished. For a number of years preced- ing its dissolution Colonel Wilcox was long an active and prominent member of the National Pho- tographic Association of America, and served with efficiency upon its Executive Committee. He took a deep interest, in the labors of this organization and was a regular attendant at and frequently partic- ipated in its annual conventions. For a number of years he held the responsible position of Chairman of the Arbitrating Committee of the Photographic Stock Dealers' Association of America. In connec- tion with the demands of his business Colonel Wil- cox has visited nearly every State and Territory, including those on the Pacific slope. His circle of friends and acquaintances is almost as broad as the 270 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Union itself and is constantly enlarging. He is a man of robust physique and soldierly bearing, with a refined and intellectual countenance and a nature kindly even to the stranger and genial to all his friends. Warmly interested in everything pertain- ing to the veterans of the war, Colonel Wilcox has become affiliated with the New York Commaudery of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and also with Lafayette Post No. 140, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic. He attended the first and second annual reunions of his old regiment, held at Danville, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1888, and at Scranton, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1889, and on each occasion delivered an eloquent address. These addresses have been published in book form. As a speaker his style is spirited, for- cible, patriotic and full of color. In politics Colonel Wilcox has always been an earnest Republican. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith, an elder in the Phillips Presbyterian Church, Madison Avenue, New York City, and a member of the Presbyterian Union. His home is charmingly situated on Lex- ington Avenue, in one of the best resident sections of the city, and is rendered doubly attractive by the refined and cultivated tastes of its inmates. Colonel Wilcox was married in 1855, to Miss Catherine Mil- licent Webb, daughter of Doctor Reynold and Deb- orah Hopson (Meigs) Webb. By this lady, who died in 18G0, he had two children: Reynold W'ebb Wilcox, born in 1856 (B.A., Yale, 1878; M.A., Ho- bart, 1881; M.D., Harvard University, 1881;) and Kate Elizabeth Wilcox, who died in infancy. By his second marriage, with Miss Martha F. Dowd, who died in 1873, he had no children. In 1875 he married Miss Elizabeth Bogert Wells, his present wife. The issue of this marriage is one son, Francis Wells Wilcox, born in 1882. » WILCOX, REYNOLD WEBB, M.A., M.D., Pro- fessor of Clinical Medicine in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School, and one of the most prominent of the younger generation of medical meu in the metropolis, is the eldest son of the foregoing, and was born at Madison, New Haven County, Connecticut, March 29, 1856. His mater- nal ancestry is derived from Richard Webb, who came to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1632. Among Richard Webb's descendants were Colonel Samuel Blatchley W r ebb, of the Third Connecticut Line, and Aide-de-Camp to General Washington ; the Rev. Joseph Webb, one of the founders of Yale College ; General Alexander S. Webb, President of the Col- lege of the City of New York ; and Reynold Webb, a soldier in the Sixth Connecticut Line (Colonel William Douglas), the great-grandfather of Dr. Wil- cox. He was prepared for college at Lee's Acad- emy, in Madison, the Bartlett High School, New London, and under the private instruction of the Rev. H. L. Everest. In September, 1873, he passed the examinations for admission to Yale College, but did not enter that institution until the following year. In 1875 he received the second mathemati- cal prize of his class, and in June, 1878, was gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and the rank of " Oration." Born with scholarly tastes, he did not confine himself while at college to the re- quired work of the academic department, but pur- sued special studies in comparative anatomy, bot- any and geology, at the Sheffield Scientific School. After graduation he continued his studies in metaphysics, political science and early English history, and in recognition of his proficiency in these departments was honored with the degree of Master of Arts by Hobart College, Geneva, New York, in June, 1881. Under the tutelage of his uncle, Daniel M. Webb, A.M., M.D., a graduate of Yale College of the class of 1849 and the sou of the late Reynold Webb, M.D., of the class of 1819 in the same college, he began his medical studies, and in September, 1878, entered the Medical School of Harvard University. In the early part of 1880 he served as Medical Assistant at the House of the Good Samaritan, Boston ; from May, 1880, to Jul}', 1881, as House Officer at the Children's Hospital in the same city, and for short periods previous to graduation as Surgical Assistant at the Surgical Division of the Boston Dispensary, at the Out- Patient Department of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and at the Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary. In June, 1881, he received the degree and diploma of Doctor of Medicine from Harvard University, graduating among the highest in his class. The ensuing fifteen months were de- voted to study in the hospitals of Paris, Vienna, Hei- delberg and Edinburgh, and to extensive travel in Europe. Upon his return home, Dr. W r ilcox se- cured an appointment, after competitive examina- tion, upon the resident staff of the Woman's Hospi- tal in New York City, and in February, 1884, hav- ing completed his term of service, was graduated as House Surgeon. Following this, he spent a few months in travel in the West and South ; and in May, 1884, established himself in practice in New York City. In June, 1884, he was appointed As- sistant to the Chair of Gynaecology at the New York Post-Graduate Medical School, and retained this position until the close of 1885. He served as Physician to the Northeastern Dispensary for nearly CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 271 two years. In January, 1885, he was appointed Physician to the Demilt Dispensary, and still holds this position. In the spring of 1886 he was made Instructor in Clinical Medicine in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School, and in March, 1800, was appointed Professor of Clinical Medicine in that institution. He has been connected with nearly all the leading medical societies of the city and State, and is a Fellow of the New York Acad- emy of Medicine, and a member of the Clinical Society of the Post-Graduate School, and also of the Alumni Association of the Woman's Hospital. For a number of years he has been an active writer, more particularly in the field of medicine. Many of his articles on medical subjects have had a wide circulation in the St. Louix Medical and Surgical Journal, and in the JYeic York Medical Journal, and have attracted considerable attention and have been extensively quoted. Through his experiments and writings, four drugs, apomorphia, napthalin, hy- drastis and eocillafia, have been introduced to the medical profession. His papers, detailing his ex- periences with and views upon these drugs, have been translated into all the modem languages. For some years he has been interested in photogra- phy, and a number of contributions from his pen on that subject have appeared in The Photographic Bulletin. He is a member (Second Class) of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Commandery of the State of New York ; of Lafayette Camp, No. 140, Sons of Veterans ; of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and also of the New- York, Athletic, and Manhattan Clubs. fHITE, STANFORD, the son of the eminent Shakespearian scholar, Richard Grant White, and himself one of the most distinguished of living architects, was born on the 9th of November, 1853, in New York City. Such information as may be obtained regarding the earlier stages of his life is unimportant. We know that he first attended one of the city schools and that later his studies were pursued under private direction. Beyond these, any salient facts to be noted are connected with his professional career. It is as an architect that he will be considered in this brief notice. Mr. White began his artistic apprenticeship soon after his education had been completed. At that time, about fifteen years ago, Mr. H. H. Richardson was laying the foundation of his now wide reputation. With Mr. Charles D. Gambrill he carried on an office at 57 Broadway, New York City, and here Mr. White was received in the capacity of student. We may I believe that he made rapid progress, for by the time Trinity Church in Boston was to be built, he bad achieved sufficient distinction to be entrusted with much of the superintendence of that great work. Mr. White was, in fact, next in command to Mr. Richardson. The experience gained at this period has proven of much value to Mr. White, but per- haps no better illustration of his individuality could be cited than his freedom from Mr. Richardson's in- fluence. The lines upon which Mr. Richardson worked when he designed the Brattle Square Church, lines more Italian than French, have at- tracted Mr. White, we believe, at various times, but the massive Romanesque which the author of Trin- ity Church evolved out of his studies in Spain and France seems to have inspired no emulation in Mr. White whatever From its position as well as from its comparative youth, America, that is civilized America, the America dating from the Dutch occu- pation, lias never had a generic architectural style. Whatever buildings we have are adaptations of foreign types. It has been admitted that American architecture, if it reaches a full growth, will be a sort of composite of all that is good on the other side of the Atlantic. It has thus become customary to denote an American architect's style by a refer- ence to the affinity it shows for a recognized Euro- pean style. Mr. Richardson is known by his feeling for the Romanesque and Mr. Upjohn is identified with Gothic traditions. Without implying any in- vidious comparisons we may say that Mr. White typifies the most advanced artistic culture in Amer- ica because he has always been susceptible to the finer examples of every style. Culture in any field, literary or artistic, may be defined as a receptivity to the best ideas — tiie most cultured men are essen- tially eclectic, for they are gifted with a largeness of view that ignores mere geographical boundaries. When an artist is disposed therefore to "examine all things and hold fast to that which is good " and is imbued further with a firm sense of proportion, of fitness, his work is sure to possess a distinct charm and value. Such an artist is Mr. White. With his partners, Mr. C. F. McKim and Mr. W. R. Mead, he has designed a score or more of buildings from which half a dozen, embodying as many dif- ferent ideas, or, in a certain sense, styles, might be selected. Such a selection could only be made, however, with the understanding that the two gen- tlemen mentioned above are equally responsible for the works. It would be difficult to say just where Mr. White's touch is most discernible, and just wh«re that of Mr. McKim or Mr. Mead might be discovered. Still, a few instances may be given, for so sympathetic is the collaboration of the three 272 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. architects that as a firm they may be said to exem- plify the eclecticism to which we have referred. In the little private office building erected for the Goe- let estate at No. 9 West Seventeenth Street, in New York City, we have a facade with round arches and simple columns on the first floor, and a dormer window with stepped gable at the roof. The last mentioned detail is suggestive of the Dutch style, but though the lower portion of the facade has not the same decided character, the effect of the whole is very harmonious. Not far from this, on the cor- ner of Broadway and Twentieth Street, there is an- other building designed for the Goelets, this time a large store structure. The entrance is well known for its uniqueness, three arches turned on a concen- tric curve, a most un-Greek arrangement. Yet in the frieze of this building there is Greek ornamen- tation. The Columbia Bank Building, at Fifth Avenue and Forty-second Street, is interesting both as a specimen of Italian Renaissance and as a solu- tion of the problem offered in a long, narrow site. In the famous Villard houses that fill the east side of Madison Avenue from Fiftieth to Fifty-first Street, the Renaissance style is again felt, but tem- pered by a classic note, and marked by great sim- plicity. The Tiffany mansion at Madison Avenue and Seventy-second Street has been compared to a Swiss chateau. It is large, bold and unconven- tional, not as grand in its lines as the Villard block, but very strong nevertheless. In some more recent buildings, such as the hotel at Broadway and Thir- ty-second Street, the profusion of ornamentation in- dicates a leaning towards the most luxuriant forms of Renaissance art. The Madison Square Garden has many details which recall the elegance and lightness of some Spanish architecture. Other buildings that owe considerable to Mr. White's genius, are the homes of the Century and Freund- schaft clubs, and also a number of small dwelling houses like Mr. Phoenix's on Thirty-third Street, Mr. Drayton's at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fifth Street, or Mr. Cutting's at 724 Fifth Avenue. In the designing of country houses Mr. White has uti- lized English and French motives. The old farm buildings of Normandy have especially guided him, as witness the Osborn house at Mamaroneck. Al- ways a versatile man, Mr. White has been no less happy in his interior and decorative work than in his designs for exteriors. The rooms at the Players' Club, the halls of the Villard house (now Mr. Whitelaw Reid's), the altars at the Church of the Paulist Fathers and the Church of the Ascension, afford some idea of his wide range as a w T orker in marble, woodwork and color. No record of Mr. White's career would be complete without some mention of the monumental work in which he has engaged with Mr. Augustus St. Gaudens, the sculp- tor. To him is due the pedestal of the Farragut, that of the Lincoln at Chicago, and that of the Chapin at Springfield. He also designed the rim for the Lincoln fountain, as well as several smaller constructions of the same class at other places. Another phase of Mr. White's activity includes the book covers he has prepared for " She Stoops to Conquer," " The Quiet Life," " Old Songs," "The Book of the Tile Club," " The Century Dictionary" and " Scribner's Magazine." When we add that Mr. White is a prominent member of the chief artistic organizations of this city, the importance of his po- sition will be appreciated. At every point he is a brilliant force in the art life of America. No archi- tect of to-day exerts a more salutary influence upon the younger men of the profession. The selection of Mr. White as the architect of the Washington Memorial Arch is a tribute to his artistic pre-emi- nence which has been universally approved. +- DICKERSON, EDWARD N., a distinguished member of the New York bar, and one of the most eminent patent lawyers in the United States, was born at Paterson, New Jersey, on Febru- ary 11, 1824, and died at his country home, Far Rocka- way, Long Island, on December 12, 1889. Mr. Dick- erson was not only a lawyer of commanding ability, and doubtless the leader of the American bar in his specialty, but also an inventor, explorer, builder, engineer, scientist and philosopher. He came of a brilliant family, noted for generations by reason of the distinguished patriotism, statesman- ship and inventive genius of its members. The founder of this family in America was Philemon : Dickerson, one of the early Puritan settlers of Mas- sachusetts, who left England in the first half of the seventeenth century. The records of Salem, Massa- chusetts, show that he was a freeholder as early as 1638. In 1G46 he purchased a large tract of land on the northern shore of Long Island, which he culti- vated until his death, when his property descended to his two sons, Thomas and Peter, both of whom, like their father, were men of means, character and considerable local influence. Peter, a son of the Thomas named above, went to Morris County, New Jersey, in 1741, and made a profitable investment there in property afterward known as the Dickerson Iron Mines. He took a prominent part in the affairs of the Colony of New Jersey, became Speaker of the Continental Congress of that State, and at his own expense equipped two companies of soldiers for ser- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. vice against the British, took the field with them, and died fighting for liberty. It was a son of this ardent patriot, Jonathan Dickerson by name, who first showed the remarkable mechanical and scien- tific talents which have since marked his descend- ants. During the administration of Washington he secured two patents. The original of one of these, the eleventh to be recorded in the Patent Of- fice, is still a prized possession and heirloom in the family. Jonathan Dickerson was a man of great in- fluence in his State, and represented it with ability in the Congress of the United States. The eldest of his two sons, Mahlon Dickerson, was educated at Princeton College, adopted the profession of law, and removing to Philadelphia, rose to prominence at the bar of that city. He became Recorder of Philadelphia, and subsequently Quartermaster-Gen- eral of the State of Pennsylvania. Returning to New Jersey to reside, later in life, he was chosen to the Legislature of that State, and was elected Governor. In this exalted office he served until the close of his term, when he was elected to the United States Senate, in which he sat with honor and dis- tinction sixteen years. He resigned the Senator- ship to accept the Secretaryship of the Navy in the cabinet of President Jackson during the lat- ter's second term, and he retained this portfolio, by urgent request of Jackson's successor, President Van Bureu, until the close of his administration. He took a deep interest in scientific research, was President of the American Institute for a time, and died at the family seat, Morristown, New Jersey, at the advanced age of eighty-two. Philemon Dickerson, the younger son of Jonathan, and father of the subject of this sketch, also graduated at Princeton, and adopted the profession of law, set- tling in practice at Paterson in the year in which his brother was elected Governor of the State. He married a daughter of Captain John Stotesbury, who was an able and active participant in many im- portant battles and severely wounded at Brandy- wine. This lady's maternal grandfather was Gen- eral Hugh Hughes, Assistant Quartermaster-General of the eastern and western armies, during the Revo- .ution. He was one of the purest patriots of his time, gave liberally of his private wealth for the support of the half-famished and poorly-clad army, and during and after the battle of Long Island was so conspicuous for his decisive action and intrepid gallantry that he was thanked by a personal letter from Washington. Philemon Dickerson was elected to Congress from his native State, New Jersey, in 1833. His record in the National Legislature was a brilliant one and made him widely known. In 1836 he was elected Governor of New Jersey and Chan- cellor of the State. At the close of his term he was re-elected to Congress. After leaving this body he was appointed United States Judge of the District Court for New Jersey, an office he filled with distinction until his death. Edward N. Dicker- son, the subject of this sketch, was the son of this able and worthy man. He inherited many positive traits of character from both his pa- ternal and maternal ancestry, and from a very early period in his life gave indications of unusual mental activity and brain power. Following what had come to be a well-established precedent in his family, he was educated at Princeton College, and while a student in that institution made the ac- quaintance and won the friendship of the learned Professor Joseph Henry, head of the Smithsonian Institution, with whom he began the scientific studies that afterward made him the leading patent lawyer in the country. He was but twenty-one years of age when admitted to the bar and he ap- plied himself so diligently and intelligently to his professional work that in a very few years he began to attract the attention of his associates. He first won fame by his conduct of the case, in the United States Circuit Court, of How against Law, under the California mail contract. Pitted against such an eminent advocate as Rufus Choate in the Colt patent suit, tried shortly afterward, he gained new and most enviable laurels by his defeat of this dis- tinguished son of Massachusetts. But his name be- came still more widely known through his conduct of the case of Sickles against Burden, and thence- forth his place among the leaders of the American bar was fixed. Notwithstanding these and other brilliant legal successes, the genius of science which burned within the young lawyer prompted him to forego — at least temporarily — the honors awaiting him at the bar, in order that he might place himself on a more intimate footing with the marvels of modern invention, and acquire by study and travel a more thorough knowledge than he then possessed of contemporaneous improvements, both scientific and mechanical. In giving rein to this bent of his mind he abandoned his practice and traveled exten- sively in Europe and Central and South America, where he came in direct contact with many distin- guished persons, by whom he was treated with great cordiality, and honored for his really remarkable attainments. His close attention to scientific studies brought forth satisfactory results in the shape of valuable inventions, a number of which found im- portant application in the development and im- provement of steam engines. " When Gideon Welles was Secretary of the Navy"— says the writer of an extended obituary notice of Mr. Dick-. CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. erson, published iu the New York Tribune,. Decem- ber 13, 1889 — " there came a revolution agaiust the Watts theory of steam expansion. Contracts for new engines were given out involving an immense expenditure of money. Mr. Dickerson fought the fallacies adopted by the Government, tooth and nail, in open letters, in correspondence with the Secretary, in discussion and in warnings to Con- gress. He brought all the power of his brilliant mind, his learning and the authorities of the great- est mechanical workers to overcome this ' rash pol- icy.' But it was not until the money had been spent, the engines had been tested and found to be practically useless, that his claim to a superior knowledge of the subject of steam power was fully acknowledged." About the year 1873, having by this time quite satisfied his innate desire for the broadest enlightenment on the scientific status of invention in the most progressive countries of the world, Mr. Dickerson turned his energies back into the channel of legal work, in which he labored with untiring zeal and devotion, and with brilliant suc- cess down almost to the last days of his busy and most useful life. It is probably true that no lawyer iu the United States in that time had a larger num- ber of notable cases entrusted to his care. Armed with scientific knowledge of a high order, strength- ened by his brilliant mind and versatile accomplish- ments, and impregnably entrenched behind his thorough acquaintance with patent law, he was en- abled to cope successfully with the master intellects in the legal arena, with nearly all of whom he had at one time or another a bout, from which he seldom failed to emerge the victor. Among the cases with which he has been identified are those of the Ameri- can Bell Telephone Company and the National Im- provement Telegraph Company ; the Bell against the People's Company ; the Pan-Electric and other cases involving the best known patents on the tele- phone, the telegraph, reaping-machine, explosives, railways, refrigerators, ventilation, nickel-plating, planing machinery and guns. The record of his conduct in the Bell-People's suit is contained in fourteen volumes. Among his clients have been the Western Union Telegraph Company, the Gold and Stock Telegraph Company, the Standard Oil Company, the McCormick Mower and Reaper Com- pany, the Bell Telephone Company, and the Edison Electric Company. Among the legal giants with whom he has waged forensic battle were Rufus Choate, Edmunds, Conkling and Thurston ; and it is probable that he has met and fought every noted patent lawyer iu the United States. He was a de- termined and untiring fighter and a hard-hitter. Even as a young man he was boldly aggressive in the interests of right and justice. During the early years of his practice in New York City he resided in New Jersey. At that time the evening suburban trains were run iu a decidedly haphazard manner. Sometimes the young lawyer was set down at his own town and sometimes he was left some distance from it, and obliged to walk the remainder of the way. But he was not an uncomplaining victim, by any means. Whenever he was treated in this un- ceremonious way he began a suit against the rail- road company. Tired of his repeated attacks the company at length mended its ways, and thence- forth Mr. Dickerson's ticket carried him through to his destination. It is needless to add that many other passengers were benefited by the young law- yer's course. His manner in conducting a case was always natural, and it was most easy to follow him in intricate and technical explanations. He never left a juror or witness in doubt about his meaning. He was frank and straightforward in his style, and while aggressive, was never given to brow- beating, invariably relying on the gentler but often much more effective weapon of sarcasm to accom- plish what others sought to achieve by ruder methods. But even in the use of this rhetorical weapon he was refined, and, to use an effective simile, his delicate sarcasm often " cut like the tapering lash of a silken whip." It is related of him that in one of the above-mentioned suits against the railroad company which caused him so much an- noyance, he found pitted against him a veteran lawyer. This gentleman rose in court during the progress of the case, and remarked crisply, refer- ring to Mr. Dickerson, who represented himself, " it is a well known legal axiom that when a man is his own lawyer he has a fool for a client." Like a flash Mr. Dickerson retorted : " But he is better off by far than the client who has a fool for a counsel," | and he bowed gravely to his opponent. One secret of Mr. Dickerson's great success was thoroughness. He labored indefatigably over a task and never left it until every detail had been mastered. He was so conscious of the power thus obtained that he never relinquished the habit. Few men more keenly ap- preciated the value of time. He was never idle. When not engaged on some case which required days — perhaps weeks — of closest attention, he ap- plied himself to one of his favorite studies. The range of his acquirements was marvellously broad, and, notwithstaudiug the invaluable aid he derived from his naturally fine and well-trained memory and quick apprehension, it must have taken years of incessant and painstaking application to gather his wonderful store of valuable and brilliant knowl- edge. Scarcely less remarkable than the range CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 275 and quality of his knowledge was his facility in ap- plying it. An eminent lawyer who had been asso- ciated with him as partner for many years has said : " I don't think Dickerson's knowledge was greater than that of any man I ever knew, but I do say that he could make more use of his knowledge than any one I ever met " Although devoted to work and nearly always weighted with as much of it as he could possibly carry, he had time for a pleasant word to every one. His pure good nature frequent- ly led him to go out of his way to serve another. It is related that on one occasion a reporter went to him for enlightenment on a doubtful point. The busy lawyer had no personal interest in the question and had never seen the reporter before. But he ex- plained the subject carefully and clearly, and even went so far as to make a further examination, write out the result of his investigation and send it, to- gether with an interesting opinion of his own, to the reporter. Such warm good-fellowship naturally made many friends. Mr. Dickerson took a deep in- terest in every subject bearing upon the public wel- fare. The danger to life from the electric wires was one of the subjects which, shortly before his death, drew Ids attention and invited his comment. At this time the condition of his health was such that he could do little, but beyond a doubt, had he not been ill, his investigations would have produced re- sults of practical benefit to the community. On the subject of sanitary plumbing, ventilation, lighting and heating he was an expert, and in his handsome home in Thirtj T -fourth Street, near Fiftli Avenue, in New York City, he gave his scientific and advanced views practical expression with admirable results. He was passionately devoted to astronomical re- search. One of his ambitions was to make the country a gift of a telescope far exceeding in di- mensions and power any as yet made, and he gen- erously proposed to donate the immense sum of money required to procure the construction of such an instrument. On the roof of his residence he built an observatory which he equipped with the most approved and recent inventions and instru- ments for pursuing this fascinating study, and here he spent a great deal of the time he allotted to scien- tific research. As an author, Mr. Dickerson might have made a National reputation had his great prac- tice given him the leisure to write. Ample evidence in proof of this assertion is found in several of his published papers. One of these, on "Joseph Henry and the Magnetic Telegraph," read at Princeton College on June 16, 1885, is an eloquent and mas- terful tribute to that great scientist and the myste- rious force in nature to master which he had de- voted so many years of his life. In politics Mr. Dickerson adhered to the views of his ancestors, being what he styled an " out-and-out Democrat," and took great pride in his allegiance to this party. Nevertheless he was opposed to "free trade," and when, in 1888, it was made a prominent party issue he opposed it with resolution, and worked and voted against its supporters, from President Cleveland down. During this campaign his name was printed at the bottom of a circular calling for the format ion of a free trade political organization. When he re- covered from his astonishment and found that it was not a mistake but a political trick, he sat down and wrote a letter in rebuttal of the circular, which, when published, proved one of the most forcible and effective contributions to the literature of the opposition in that stirring campaign. Mr. Dicker- son was a strikingly handsome man. Six feet four inches in height, he was a giant physically as he was intellectually. His frame was rugged and massive, and was carried with a firm, vigorous step, even in his latest years. His face was finely molded, the eye keen, the nose straight and the mouth strong, yet kindly; altogether manly and attractive, and an engaging study when animated by argument or conversation. His manner was quiet and impres- sive, kindly and encouraging, yet always dignified. He was courteous and polished at all times, and no one ever entered his presence without feeling that he stood before one of Nature's noblemen. His hos- pitality has been described by his friends as "princely." In his collection of souvenirs, which was quite extensive, were a number of valuable ones received from distinguished persons whom he had met in his travels, or in the course of his pro- fessional career. A specially treasured souvenir was a magnificent ring set with the initials of " the Czar of all the Russias," in diamonds, presented to Mr. Dickerson as a token of personal friendship and esteem by the late Emperor Nicholas, whom he met while iu Russia and by whom he was signally honored. Mr. Dickerson suffered for some months previous to his death from nervous prostration. In May, 1889, he was obliged to give up his law practice, and was unable thereafter even to visit his office in Temple Court. His death was unlooked for and was a painful surprise to a large circle of friends, and the occasion of most siucere and un- qualified sorrow to his colleagues at the New York bar. The announcement of his death at the Federal Building in New York City awakened many expres- sions of sincere regret. He was well known to all the court officers and had won many friends by his ability, his personal attractions and his magnetism. Both branches of the United States Circuit Court, presided over respectively by Judge Wallace and 276 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. Judge Lacombe, were adjourned out of respect for the dead lawyer. Not for a long time, if ever, has there been a meeting of the New York bar to honor the memory of a deceased member at which the ex- ercises were more heartfelt and less conveutioual than those held at the United States Circuit Court- room in the Post Office Building, December 14, 1889, in honor of the subject of this sketch. Judge William J. Wallace, of the United States Circuit Court, presided, and Walter D. Edmunds, Esq., was Secretary. Among the distinguished gentlemen pres- ent were John F. Dillon, Clarence A. Seward, C. C. Beaman, George Ticknor Curtis, Everett P. Wheeler, Orlando B. Potter, Stephen A. Walker, A. Q. Keasby and Judge Brown. Mr. Samuel A. Duncan presented the resolutions, Mr. Curtis, the first to second them, said that he stood there "to speak of a remarkable man, with whom his rela- tions had been intimate for forty years." In his eulogy of his departed friend, he said : " I have never known a man in any profession whose range of knowledge was so extensive and accurate. He not only knew many things and knew them well, but there were few specialists in an} - branch whom he could not instruct." Mr. Beaman, visibly af- fected, next extolled the virtues of his late friend and former partner, closing his remarks by saying : " He was child-hearted in his friendships and enjoyments ; woman-hearted in his sympathies, and man-hearted in his struggles and contests. A man of man}- man-power in body, in mind and in heart." Judge Wallace, Edmund Wetmore and B. F. Lee all paid feeling tributes to Mr. Dick- erson's memory, after which the resolutions were adopted. These were as follows : " That in the highest and best sense our departed brother deserves commemoration as a man of lofty character, of irreproachable life, and of qualities that won and held the esteem of friends and the confidence of the public. As a citizen, he was pa- triotic, courageous in the expression of his convic- tions on all political questions, and ever guarded by a strong attachment to the Union of the States. "As a member of the legal profession, Mr. Dicker- son was eminentl}- fitted by- nature and training to be serviceable to his fellow-men. In the special field in which he became distinguished he was noted for his mastery of the principles of law that regulate the rights of "those whose labors have done so much to advance the material prosperity of our country ; for his accurate practical acquaintance with every branch of science and of mechanics in- volved in the useful arts ; as also, for his capacity to promote, protect and defend the interests of in- ventors. He was thus able to instruct and edify every T tribunal before which he appeared, and he deserved and received the full attention and respect of those whose duty it was to decide the controver- sies in which he took part. Earnest in his convic- tions, with a great faculty of lucid statement, and persuasive of speech, he enforced his views with an eloquence and a power that won him many victo- ries. By these qualities he fulfilled, with singular completeness, the proper function of an advocate. " Concerned in many of the most important patent litigations of his day, Mr. Dickerson has left his mark upon that branch of our jurisprudence. He has left it also upon the mechanic arts, in some of which he had made highly useful inventions of his own. He has left it, too, upon many of the sciences which are concerned with the material progress of the age. His proficiency in scientific knowledge made him always a welcome guest among its special professors : for, while not himself a special- ist, his studies and acquirements embraced the whole field of applied science, and thus he was en- abled to impart to others more than he received from them. " By his many brilliant qualities and hislargeDess of heart, Mr. Dickerson gained a host of friends, both among the members of the bar and in other walks of life. As his most intimate associates, we desire to embalm his memory in our kindest recol- lections, and to point to his example of industry and achievement as one to inspire his younger brethren." Mr. Dickersou's funeral took place on Saturday, December 14, 1889. The religious services were conducted at Trinity Chapel, New York City. The pall-bearers were Judge Wallace of the United States Circuit Court, Justice Brady of the Supreme Court, George Ticknor Curtis, C.C. Beaman, Henry Steers, George Sheldon, Loyal Farragut and W. Yulee. The interment was at Greenwood Cemetery'. Mr. Dickerson leaves a wife and one son, Ed- ward N. Dickerson, his partner in the law firm of Dickerson & Dickerson. His only other child, a daughter, Mrs. Charles W. Gould, died in 1884. EWING, GENERAL THOMAS, was born on the 7th of August, 1829, at the residence of his father, the Hon. Thomas Ewing, in Lancaster, Ohio. He was the third son of that great lawyer and statesman. On his father's side he is descended from Findley Ewing, of Londonderry, Ireland, a native of Lower Loch Lomond in Scotland, who distinguished himself in the War of 1688 under William of Orange, and had presented to him a sword by his sovereign for gallant conduct at the siege of Londonderry. General Ewing's paternal grandfather, George Ewing, was an ensign and afterwards a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, enlisting in the Second Jersey Regiment in 1775, in an expedition to reinforce our army then besieging Quebec, and serving with the Jersey troops until the end of the War for Independence. On his mother's side he is descended from Neil Gillespie, who emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, to CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 277 western Pennsylvania, and who was the great- grandfather of both himself and James G. Blaine ; — a man of great mark on theMonongahela, in the lat- ter part of the last century. His mother's father was Hugh Boyle, for forty years Clerk of the Supreme Court of Ohio for Fairfield County, who when a youth, having taken an active part in the Emmet Rebellion, was driven from Ireland to America. He was a native of Donegal and was full of the manhood and fire which distinguish the Irish race. At nineteen General Ewing was Secretary of the Commission to settle the still vexed question as to whether the boundary between Virginia and Ohio is the high water mark or the low water mark on the north side of the Ohio River. A year later, when but nineteen years old, he became one of the private secretaries of President Taylor. After the death of the President, he entered Brown Univer- sity at Providence, Rhode Island, then under the Presidency of the illustrious Francis Waylaud, and graduated in 1854 — though receiving his degree with the class of 1856. He was popular at college with both faculty and students ; witli the former because of his manly deportment and good standing in his studies, with the latter because of his genial temper, which rendered him always a delightful companion. The writer of this sketch recalls with pleasure the Tom Ewing of thirty-five years ago, with his splendid physique, his intellectual, frank, transparent countenance ; his chivalrous regard for the feelings of others ; his strong anti-slavery feel- ing ; his keen sympathy with the poor and op- pressed, and hatred of injustice in every form — and recalling this pleasant picture feels a peculiar de- light in witnessing the ample fulfillment of the promise of his early manhood. In 1855 Ewing graduated at the Cincinnati Law School, and in 1856 removed to Kansas and entered upon the prac- tice of law at Leavenworth. His law firm — Sher- man, Ewing and McCook — included General Dan McCook, who afterwards fell at Kenesaw, and Geueral William T. Sherman, then merely an ex- captain of the regular army, soon to become world renowned for his splendid military career. General Ewing achieved success from the outset, and soon was at the head of his profession in Kansas. He took an active and conspicuous part in the historic struggle which made Kansas a free State, and be- came prominent among the leading Republicans of ante-bellum times. He represented Kansas in the Peace Conference which assembled in Washington on the call of Virginia in 1860, and at the early age of twenty-nine was elected the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of that State — a position which he filled ably for two years and until the great Re- bellion swept him from the bench into the ranks of the army. Prior to this, in 1856, Mr. Ewing was married to Ellen E. Cox, a daughter of the Rev. William Cox, of Ohio, a minister of the Presby- terian Church, then stationed at Piqua, Ohio, dis- tinguished for his zeal and eloquence; of which church his family are all members. He is not him- self a member of any church, though a believer in Jesus Christ as his divine Lord and master. Gen- eral Ewing in 1856-7, took an active and conspic- uous part in the struggle to make Kansas a free State, and rendered a service to the cause there which was most important and of historic interest. When, in the fall of 1857, the Pro-slavery Constitu- tional Convention formed the Lecompton Constitu- tion, it submitted to a popular vote — not the whole constitution — but only the slavery clause— that is the question whether the voter would take "the constitution with slavery " or " the constitution with- out slavery." So the elector had to favor the Le- compton Constitution if he voted at all — a constitu- tion hateful to the Free State majority, as it had been framed by a fraudulently chosen convention, com- posed largely of residents of Missouri. Moreover, if a majority voted for the constitution without slavery, the slaves then in Kansas were to remain slaves for life. At the same election a separate vote was ordered for legislative and executive officers under the constitution. The hope and expectation of the pro-slavery men were that the Free State men, who were in an overwhelming majority in the Ter- ritory, from indignation at the tricky manner of submission, would refuse to vote at all ; and that thereupon the Democratic Congress would admit Kansas as a slave State completely officered by pro- slavery men. It was an artful trap, and the Free State Convention was caught in it by resolving that the party would wholly refrain from voting at that election. Thereupon Ewing bolted the convention, but only eight out of over a hundred delegates fol- lowed him. The bolters nominated a full State ticket and tickets in every county for all the offices ; canvassed the Territory, and, in spite of the bitter- est opposition of the radical leaders and press, suc- ceeded in bringing a large majority of the Free State party to the polls. They thus completely 'officered the proposed pro-slavery Government with tried and true Free State men— publicly pledged, if the State should be admitted, to immediately call an- other convention, form a Free State Constitution, and destroy the Lecompton Constitution and Gov- ernment, root and branch. The pro-slavery leaders, finding themselves outnumbered at the polls, re- sorted to the most enormous and astounding frauds in the returns, and then officially proclaimed the CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 278 election of the pro-slavery candidates. Thereupon Ewing went to the Territorial Legislature then in session at Lawrence, a majority of which were Free State men, and got a commission appointed to in- vestigate and expose the election frauds. He was a member of the board and conducted its proceedings with startling boldness and energy, resulting within a week in the discovery and seizure of the forged returns, which had been buried in a candle box under a wood pile at Lecompton on the premises of the United States Surveyor-General, John Calhoun — the exposure of the forgeries — the indictment of the chief conspirators, Calhoun, McLean and others — their flight from Kansas never to return — and the abandonment by Buchanan's administration, and his party in Congress of the Lecompton Consti- tution, which fell covered with execrations and in- famy. This closed the long struggle to force slavery on Kansas, and the new State was there- upon admitted under a Free Constitution made by her own people. General Ewing first appears in the history of the War of the Rebellion as Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment of Kansas Volunteer Infantry, recruited and orgauized by him in the summer of 1862 He led his command in several severe engagements in Arkansas — at Cane Hill, Van Buren and Prairie Grove ; and for gallant conduct in the last named battle, which was one of the fiercest of the war, was promoted to be a Brigadier- General on the 11th of March, 1863. He was soon after assigned to the command of the " District of the Border," comprising the State of Kansas and the western portion of Missouri — a command of ex- treme administrative difficulty and great personal danger, which he held from June. 1863, to Febru- ary, 1864, and in which he won the emphatic ap- proval of President Lincoln and General Schofield, the Department Commander. His "Order No. 11," issued while he held this command, directing the inhabitants of large portions of three border coun- ties of southern Missouri to remove to the military posts or out of the border, was and still is severely criticised. It was the result a peculiarly difficult situation, solvable in no other way. Those coun- ties had become the impregnable base of operations of about a thousand guerillas, under Quantrell, the James brothers, and Yeager, who were inces- santly making incursions into southern Kansas, to rob and kill the defenceless people, and who had just burned Lawrence, and in cold blood murdered nearly three hundred unarmed and unresisting citizens. After two years of strenuous effort by other Union commanders, it had proved to be impos- sible to protect Kansas people from these dreadful incursions, and equally impossible to run the guerillas to earth in their fastnesses on the Missouri side of the border. These counties had been deso- lated early in the war by Jennison, Hoyt and their lawless bands of Kansas "Red Legs" — burned to the subsoil, nineteen farms out of twenty having been absolutely abandoned, and the houses and fences destroyed or left rotting. The condition of this district can be imagined from the fact that when this "Order No. 11 " was issued, Nevada, the county seat of Vernon County, having at least a hundred houses standing and in good order, had not a single inhabitant, and the Court House, with- out door or window-pane, had become a shelter for hogs and cattle running wild, with its records of titles and court proceedings scattered over the floors, covered with filth. There were not at that time a hundred families left in the entire district affected by the order, outside of the militarj' posts. They were the friends and kinsfolk of the guerillas, who were constantly hanging about the garrisoned towns, buying arms, ammunition and provisions for the guerillas, and carrying news to them of every movement of our troops. It was impossible to kill the guerillas or drive them out of the border while these country people stayed there as their spies and purve\*ors. Therefore, after full conference with General Schofield, then commanding the Department of the Missouri, and now the honored head of the armj-, General Ewing ordered the few remaining inhabitants in these desolated districts to remove to the nearest military post, or back to the second tier of counties from the State border, and the order was subsequently ratified by President Lincoln. In a letter published since the war, General Schofield said: "The responsibility for that order rests with President Lincoln, myself and General Ewing, in the proportion of our respective rank and author- ity." About half of the people affected by the order removed to the posts under the protection of our troops, and the remainder further back in Mis- souri. They moved in summer — were subjected to no physical force or hardship, and were generally glad to get out of reach of the wild storm which was about to burst on them from Kansas, in revenge for the Lawrence massacre, and which the Govern- ment had not troops enough there to quell. Within two or three months after the issuance of this order, Quantrell, having lost his spies and purveyors, and finding it impossible therefore to continue the ven- detta, led all his guerillas south, and the border war was thus forever ended. General Ewing's most dis- tinguished service during the war was in fighting the battle of Pilot Knob on the 27th and 28th of September, 1864. The Confederate General, Ster- ling Price, having effected an unlooked-for and un- CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 279 resisted crossing of the Arkansas above Little Rock, with his army of over twenty thousand men, marched on St. Louis, where General Rosecrans was in command of the Department of the Missouri, and General Ewing of the District of Southeast Missouri. All the Federal troops of the department were scattered in small detachments, with bases in earthworks or stockades in or near the chief towns of Missouri, which were the places of refuge of the Union men and neutrals from the savage warfare of the guerillas. These scattered troops could not be withdrawn from their posts without euormous sac- rifice of the people and property they were protect- ing, and it was, moreover, impossible to assemble them at St. Louis in time and numbers sufficient to defeat Price's large army, which was increasing rapidly by accessions of guerillas from all parts of southern Missouri. There was but one possible means of preventing the capture of St. Louis and the vast loss of prestige and resources which would follow. That was to delay Price a few days until re-enforcements could arrive from Little Rock, by occupying and holding fast to Fort Davidson, a small hexagonal work capable of being manned by about one thousand men, situated ninety miles south of St. Louis, at the village of Pilot Knob, which was then the southern terminus of the Iron Mountain Railroad. In this little fort were stored im- mense amounts of ordnance, commissar}- and quar- termasters ' supplies, which Price greatly needed, and which lay directly between him and the great city, by capturing which he expected to bring Mis- souri over to the Confederacy. General Rosecrans, at the urgent request of General Ewing, reluctantly consented that he should lead this forlorn hope. He reached Pilot Knob in the nick of time — but four hours ahead of Price's advance — and with but one thousand and eighty men lie held Fort David- son against two of the three divisions of Price's army — those of Marmaduke and Cabell — numbering about fourteen thousand men— Shelby's division of about seven thousand men having been sent to Ewing's rear at Mineral Point, twenty miles north of Pilot Knob, to cut the railroad and insure the destruction or capture of his entire command. After repulsing two assaults with great loss to the enemy, General Ewing, under cover of night, evac- uated and then blew up his untenable fort, and, fa- vored by broken ground, though pressed on flank and rear, held his force in hand, and by dogged fighting for two days and nights, brought them to a fortified camp at Rolla, a hundred miles west of Pilot Knob. Price was thus delayed for a week, and drawn so far westward from his march on St. Louis, that reinforcements reached St. Louis and the great objective of his invasion was lost. He turned west and south and was soon driven from Missouri without striking an effective blow. Gen. eral Rosecrans, in a special order issued October 6, 1864, said of this brilliant episode : " With pride and pleasure the commanding General notices the gallant conduct of Brigadier-General Thomas Ewing, Jr., and his command in the defence of Pilot Knob, and in the subsequent retreat to Rolla. With scarcely one thousand effective men, they re- pulsed the attacks of Price's invading army, and successfully retreated with their battery a distance of one hundred miles, in the face of a pursuing and assailing cavalry force of five times their number. General Ewing and his subordinates have deserved well of their country. Under such commanders, Federal troops should always march to victory." After the war, until 1880, General Ewing was con- spicuous in Ohio and National politics. He was a member of the Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1873-'74, where his legal attainments and admirable powers of debate gave him a foremost place. As a member of the Democratic majority in the Forty- fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses, he was one of the leaders of his party in resisting and stopping the employment of Federal troops and supervisors at elections conducted under State laws, and also in the successful movement for the preservation of the Greenback currency, the remonetization of silver, and the issue of silver certificates, but for which measures of finance the currency would have been greatly contracted, to the infinite and protracted dis- tress of the industrial and debtor classes. A ripe scholar, a strong, ready and graceful speaker, an expert parliamentarian, and possessing a personal magnetism which irresistibly attracts and firinly holds the kindly feeling of the masses, General Ewing is admirably equipped as a great popular leader. Since 1882 he has held aloof from active participation in politics, and engaged with great success in the practice of law in New York City. He was one of the founders of the " Ohio Society of New York," and its President for three years following its organization in December, 1885. His published speeches in Congress and on the stump have been numerous, and marked by great informa- tion, ability, liberality and patriotism. His literary efforts have been less numerous or conspicuous. Among the latter, his address delivered at the Cen- tennial celebration of the settlement of the North- west Territory, at Marietta, Ohio, July 16, 1889, and his address before the Kansas State Bar Asso- ciation, January 7, 1890, favoring the abolition of the requirement of unanimity of juries in civil cases, and urging the codification of " the private 28o CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. law," have attracted wide and favorable attention. He is still in his prime, intellectually and physi- cally, and will no doubt add much to his wide and enviable reputation as a lawyer, patriot and states- man. • FLAGG, REV. EDWARD OCTAVUS, D.D.,* of New York City, was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, December 13, 1824. His fam- ily moved to New Haven, Connecticut, when he was seven years of age. His grandfather, Henry C. Flagg, was a surgeon in the Continental army. His ancestry is to be traced to other noted Revolu- tionary stock, as well as to distinguished families of South Carolina and Connecticut. His father, a graduate of Yale College, married Martha Whiting, (daughter of William Joseph Whiting, a prominent lawyer of New Haven), and was afterwards Mayor of that city, and also the editor of the Connecticut Journal, a leading newspaper of that State. He was a lawyer by profession. The son derived much benefit from association with such an accomplished father. Edward Octavus attended a Lancasterian school and at the age of thirteen received a gold medal as its leading scholar, and was invited to be- come assistant in an institution in Skaneateles, New York. He subsecpiently completed a course in Hop- kins Grammar School, New Haven, belonging to the class of which Timothy Dwight, (now President of Yale University) was a member. After prosecuting his studies at Trinity College, Hartford, Avhere he stood among the first, he devoted himself for a year to miscellaneous reading. At his majority he be- came a candidate for holy orders in the Episcopal Church. Until he entered the Diaconate he was under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Harry Croswell, of New Haven, Rev. Dr. Samuel Cook and Rev. Dr. Thomas Pitkin. At twenty-four he was ordained deacon, and the following year was admitted to the priesthood. His first position was that of assistant at Christ Church, Norwich, Connecticut. At twen- ty-six he married the daughter of General William Gibbs MacNeill, U. S. A., who was brevetted Gen- eral for his suppression of the Dorr Insurrection. In 1850, on the organization of the new parish of Trinity, Norwich, he was appointed the first Rector. In the meantime he established a church at Yantic, Connecticut, which has been most successful. He remained at Trinity for three years and a half, when he found it necessary to seek a milder climate for his wife, whose health was seriously impaired. "The portrait of Dr. Flagg here given was made from a photograph taken when he was about forty-five years of age. [ During his ministrations at Norwich the Sunday ! attendance had increased from forty or fifty persons to some six hundred. His next position was Asso- ciate Rector of St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, Mary- land, which he left after six mouths, as his wife's health did not improve. Proceeding to New Or- leans, he was appointed minister pro tern of Trinity Church, declining to become the Rector, as his move- ments depended entirely upon the health of his wife. Finally, by reason of her increased indispo- sition, he left that city for the North. He was offered six thousand dollars per annum to remain, which he declined, and was succeeded by the late Bishop (afterwards General) Polk. In July, 1854, he accepted a call to St. Paul's Church, Paterson, New Jersey, at which place he suffered the loss of both his wife and only child. He resigned in No- vember, 185C, and went abroad ; spending nine months in European travel. On his return he was invited to take charge of All Saints Church, New York, where he continued until the autumn of 1861. He afterward founded the Church of the Resurrec- tion, which grew to be a considerable parish. He subsequently became Senior Assistant of Grace Church, New York, in which position he continued nearly six years, when he resigned. An attack of pneumonia, in the year 1888, having made necessary extreme care of his health, he has since had no re, were both natives of South Carolina. The hitter was a noted beauty before her marriage and the hospi- tality of her father's house was known throughout the State. While yet in her "teens" she married William Austell, and they moved from Spartanburg, South Carolina, into the new State of Tennessee, set- tling in the eastern section. William A\istell was a man of far more than ordinary natural ability. The locality in which he took up his abode was sparsely inhabited and was then almost on the very border- land of civilization. A large part of his battle was with nature in its most rugged form, yet he waged it successfully, opposing his brain and brawn to the rude forces with which he had to contend, and un- aided by machinery, railroads or any of the ad- juncts and appliances now at the service of the agriculturist, achieved a notable success. He also won high recognition among his pioneer associates and neighbors as a man of restless energy, sound judgment and superior mind. Considering the great disadvantages under which he labored his success was extraordinary, and warrants the belief that under more favoring circumstances and in a more thickly populated section he would have amassed great fortune, and undoubtedly have risen to dis- tinction. The schooling received by Alfred, the subject of this sketch, who was the second son of his parents, was meagre. In the section where his boyhood was spent other pursuits than the acquisi- tion of book-learning occupied the thoughts of the people generally, and for a farmer's son to aspire to more than an elementary knowledge of the rudi- ments was unusual. His elder brother, William, had gone far beyond the ordinary course and had himself taught school successfully for a time, but was now engaged in business. Alfred seems to 302 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. have been quite as willing a student. He acquired his knowledge of the " three R's " in what was called an "old field school," presided over by a Mr. John Russell, a wounded hero of the battle of Chip- pewa, whose stipend as a schoolmaster was a wel- come addition to the pension allowed him by the Government. His studies and reading, although limited in extent, appear to have stimulated his am- bition, for he was not yet sixteen years of age when he boldly determined to abandon agriculture for mercantile pursuits, with the view not only of rind- ing more congenial employment, but of advancing his own interest and fortune. Speaking of this youthful resolve, one to whom the facts were related by the General himself said : ''One day he cast down the hoe with which he was at work in a field, went to the house, put on his best suit of clothes, and told his father that he was going away in search of employment. He went to Dandridge, presented himself to an old merchant of the place, made known his desire and plan, and asked for a situation as clerk in his store. Although he failed in secur- ing immediate employment, yet he inflexibly ad- hered to his purpose, and soon obtained a position with his brother, William, who had a store in the town of Spartanburg, South Carolina." Thus fairly launched in a mercantile career the young man realized that he was on the road to the goal of his ambition, and he resolved to bend all his ener- gies to achieve prominence among business men, to make a name, and to win a fortune. The story of his labors and successes is an encouraging one, and while destitute of the glamour of romance is never- theless interesting and instructive, since his rise from the farm to wealth and a commanding posi- tion among his fellow-men was accomplished solely by his own indomitable pluck and energy. In 1836, after he had spent a few years with considera- ble advantage to himself as assistant to his brother William, the latter retired from business. Free now to obey his inclinations, Alfred, who had just turned his twenty-second year, migrated to Georgia, and settled as a village merchant at Campbellton, the seat of Campbell County. Having spent about twenty-two years of his life at Campbellton, he removed with his family to Atlanta, where he had a larger field for the exercise of his business talents. Here he became prominently identi- fied with financial interests of importance and took standing among the leading citizens. Al- though a Southerner by birth, and reared in all the traditions of his section, he greatly deplored the outbreak of hostilities between the seceding States and the Federal Government. But while a Union man in sentiment, he did not feel that he could con- scientiously desert his native State, or that in which he had cast his lot, in any action their Legislatures might take or the popular voice sustain; he there- fore espoused the cause they made their own by passing the ordinance of secession, and contributed liberally to its support. He came out of the ordeal of the Civil War with greatly impaired fortune, but no sooner had the contending armies ceased hostil- ities, than he threw himself with characteristic courage, vigor and resolution into the work of re- pairing his losses and rebuilding and advancing his business interests. His operations were of a four- fold nature, and comprised farming or planting, banking, railroad building and the commission bus- iness. He was the founder and first President of the Atlanta National Bank, (incorporated in 1865) which was the first national bank organized in the " cotton States," and remained in that position up to the time of his death. This institution under his management became one of the most solid, trust- worthy and prosperous in the State of Georgia, and gained a name throughout the whole land for its fair dealing and unquestioned financial standing. General Austell's direct connection with the mer- cantile life of New York was established immediate- ly after the Civil War. In company with his friend Mr. Wm. H. Inman, of Atlanta, he visited the me- tropolis in 1865, chiefly for the purpose of disposing of a quantity of cotton, a commodity upon the sale of which they relied for ready money, their other assets not being available for this purpose. To- gether they founded the cotton commission house of Austell & Inman of New York City, which be- wail operations in the latter part of 1865. In 1871, he withdrew from the business, transferring his interest to his nephew, Mr. James Swann, of Tennessee, who had been connected with the house almost since its inception, the firm then tak- ing the style of Inman, Swann & Co., which it still retains, although other changes have been ef- fected in the meantime. General Austell's connec- tion with railroad enterprises also began after the Civil War, and was prompted largely by a personal desire to connect the city of his residence, Atlanta, with the place of his birth. The project grew upon him and became a favorite and cherished scheme of his mind. In his attempts to carry it out he took an active and influential part in promoting the construction of two new and important railroads, viz.: the "Air Line," connecting Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Spar- tanburg, South Carolina, and Asheville, North Car- olina, Road. In aiding and forwarding these en- terprises the General may be regarded as a pub- lic benefactor, a promoter of the interests and CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. commerce of Atlanta in particular, and of the sections also through which these railways run. The desire and plan of a complete through line were almost realized before the close of his life, and were accomplished soon after his death. As a busi- ness man, General Austell was noted for his prac- tical judgment, prudence, sagacity, and fixedness of purpose in attending to his affairs. Connected with these qualities were the traits of justice and integrity. No man ever more scrupulously fulfilled his obligations. So conscious was he of his moral rectitude in all business transactions, that he ex- pressed a desire that his tombstone should bear the simple inscription : " Here lies an honest man." In the realm of finance General Austell held a con- spicuous and honored position. He has been styled " the last of the old-time financiers of Atlanta." He was " of primitive, direct way, * * * able to hold his leadership through the subtle ties of lat- ter day finance. * * * Connected with many of Atlanta's most important enterprises, he came out of each with a record above criticism or reproach." In all his varied enterprises, including many tran- sactions of moment in the financial center of the country, he preserved his reputation unspotted. The possessor of high character, large means, and conspicuous for his business success and sagacity, General Austell quite naturally commanded atten- tion in leading political circles, and his name was, on more than one occasion, proposed in connection with the nomination for the office of Governor of Georgia. There would have been a remarkable fit- ness in such a nomination, but the General person- ally never cared for a political career, believing that his greatest usefulness was in the field of work and development, rather than in that of government. The only official position he ever held beyond that of General of the State Militia, was that of Member of the Board of Education, to which he was chosen by the Common Council of Atlanta, to manage the system of public free schools in that city. Under a modesty which avoided everything like show or os- tentation, he concealed a most charitable na- ture. He cheerfully' assumed the care of the family of his brother William upon the hitter's death, faithfully regarding their interests, and also helped and befriended in numerous ways many other per- sons. In the welfare and advancement of young men he was warmly interested, and not a few were heavily indebted to him for substantial favors and assistance. To worthy charities he invariably lent his aid, always in the most kindly and gracious manner. His impulses were always generous. His nature was warm and affectionate. He was fond of the society of his family and friends, and lively and entertaining in his conversation. Every line of his countenance was indicative of decision and firmness of character, but witli all this he was gentle and winning in his demeanor, and, as described by one who knew him well, was " a man of captivating ad- dress." Of splendid physique and commanding presence, he looked capable of both great and good deeds. His devotion to his family was marked. He married on May 30, 1853, Miss Francina Cameron, a daughter of James Cameron, of La Grange, Troup County, Georgia. This lady is a member of the Presbyterian faith, and through her the General became identified with " The First Presbyterian Church," which they attended when they took up their residence in Atlanta. General Austell was not only a regular attendant at its services, but a liberal helper in its special religious and charitable w r ork, and eventually himself became a communi- cant. From his virtuous mother he had early learned the duties of a Christian, and he always cherished a fond recollection of the little church he attended in her company as a boy. For years be- fore he became a professing Christian he took a peculiar pleasure in aiding churches and Sunday- schools, and when the old congregation with which both his father and mother had been identified de- cided to build a new church edifice in the stead of and about a mile from the site of the original struc- ture, which had been burnt during the war, he and his two nephews contributed almost all the nioney required for this laudable undertaking. The last eight or ten years of his life were those of open pro- fession of Christianity and marked usefulness in church work. He gave liberally of his means in support of the Third Presbyterian Church of Atlan- ta, the Bible Society, Theological Seminary, and other religious institutions. He also presented a house and lot to a congregation of colored Presby- terians of Atlanta, and aided in building churches in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and other places. His death, which occurred at his home in Marietta Street, Atlanta, was directly occasioned by paraly- sis, and followed an illness of several months' du- ration. The press comments on this event were of the most laudatory character. The Atlanta Consti- tution spoke of the deceased as "one of Atlanta's best known and most prominent citizens, * *. * for years a financial leader in Georgia, wise, pru- dent and sagacious, and eminently successful in his enterprises, * * * holding a high position in commercial circles, and wielding a great influ- ence in whatever enterprise he took hold of." A writer in the Banker'x Magazine describes him as " unwavering in friendship, blameless in integrity, zealous for the advancement of truth and educa- 304 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. tion, non-sectarian in his c harities, true and devoted to his church, a fond father and indulgent husband." By order of the stockholders of the Atlanta Na- tional Bank, a life-size oil painting of General Aus- tell was procured and hung on the walls of the banking house as a perpetual memorial of its "Foun- der and First President." At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the bank, appropriate reso- lutions were adopted and ordered to be published in the New York Journal of Commerce, the Knoxville Tribune, and the CharlestoniWw* and Courier. Gen- eral Austell leaves a widow and four children, two sons and two daughters. " His career," said the editor of the Atlanta Constitution, " was an emi- nently successful one, illustrating the strong record of self-made meu only possible in America. Wise, prudent, and sagacious, he carried the enterprise of which he was the head through storm and sunshine, amassing fortunes for those who were connected with him, and standing as a bulwark of Atlanta's finances. Better than all this, General Austell dies in the fulness of integrity, without a blot on his name, leaving to his children the legacy of an hon- est and stainless name." INMAN, WILLIAM H. , a representative American banker and capitalist, and one of the original members of the firm of Inman, Swann & Co., of New York City, was born in Madison County, Ala- bama, in February, 1821, and died at Tate Springs, Tennessee, August 19, 1888. His parents were John Richie and Jane Walker Inman, natives of Tennessee, who removed from Jefferson County, in that State, to a farm on Flint River, Alabama. The subject of this sketch was the fourth son in a family of thir. teen children. Death deprived him of his mother in 1831, and of his father in 1836, and, in conse- quence, he was obliged to begin the active duties of life without parental encouragement or supervision. The support of their younger brothers and sisters devolved upon William and his elder brother, who manfully assumed and successfully carried out this great task. From his earliest days William was noted for his industry and energy. Nature endowed him with the sanguine temperament, and he took a cheerful and hopeful view of life, and prosecuted every business enterprise in which he engaged with the utmost confidence and generally with splendid success. He was still but a mere youth when he was entrusted with the management of a large farming interest belonging to a wealthy woman liv- ing in the same county — familiarly known as " the Widow Campbell" — whose property he supervised during two years or more, to the eminent satisfac- tion of the owner. He then engaged in farming on his own account for a year or two, and was quite successful. The section of Alabama where he was born was in the pioneer period of its existence as a civilized community at this time, and was very thinly settled. Opportunities for obtaining an edu- cation were limited, as schools were few and far be- tween. Young Inman obtained his early education in what was called an " old field school," but he was an uncommonly bright, quick-witted lad, and made excellent use of his meagre opportunities. In 1844 he left the old homestead in Madison County, Ala- bama, and went to Dandridge, Tennessee, where his parents were well known, and whither his elder brother, Shadrack, had gone several years before. Intelligence and activity were written all over him, so to speak, and he speedily found a situation as a clerk in a country store. In a short time he made his mark as a salesman, secured a better salary, prudently saved his money, and then entered into negotiations with his brother Shadrack, with whom finally he formed a co-partnership in the general merchandize business in the town of Dandridge. In this untrammeled position his business talents developed with marvelous rapidity, and he soon be- came known as one of the leading merchants of the place. His chief characteristics were pushing ener- gy and courage. He was never idle a moment, and he fearlessly embarked in the largest operations, finding in them a stimulus to the maximum of en- deavor which afforded his business ambition the highest gratification. About the year 1854 the State of Tennessee passed a free banking law, under which parties putting up Tennessee or railroad bonds could establish banks in any section of that commonwealth. Acting under the provisions of this law, Mr. Inman, with other capitalists, estab- lished the Bank of Jefferson, at Dandridge, Tennes- see, placing with the proper authorities, as security, one hundred thousand dollars in railroad bonds. About the year 1856, Mr. Inman removed to Ring- gold, Georgia, where he, with others, established the Northwestern Bank of Georgia, which was man- aged successfully from the start, and was in a flour- ishing condition when the Civil War broke out. The bank continued in operation until the Federal troops overran that section of Georgia, which by the fortunes of war, was compelled to suffer the destruc- tion of almost all wealth ; when Mr. Inman and his family were obliged to go further South to keep out of the way of the invading armies. In 1863 he left Ringgold for Atlanta, and in 1865 he removed to New York City, accompanied to the latter' place by his friend, General Austell of Atlanta, with whom CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 305 he at once organized the cotton commission house of Austell & Inman, which, in 1868, took the style of Austell, Inman > NY CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. occasion to regret their investment, while many have profited largely by doing so. In 1888, speaking on this topic to a writer for the New York World, Mr. Scott said : "Any investment made to-day under judicious advice in New York City, is certain to bring handsome returns. Last summer I was abroad and I paid special attention to real estate matters as far as I could in European capitals, and 1 come back more 'bullish' than ever on real estate in this city. To-day the market is very strong and has a great future. * * * We want a few express trains on our rapid-transit lines, and then the high land, per- fect drainage and many advantages of that section will make it the star residential portion of the city." Thefi rm of Scott & Myers also deals extensively in down-town improved property, and one of its partic- ular specialties is the appraisement of property, a line in which it has done a large business for some time. Mr. Scott's acknowledged intimate acquaint- ance with realty values recently led to his appoint- ment as an expert to condemn property under con- demnation proceedings of the Elevated Railroad Company in the city of New York, to acquire future easements of land along the route. In this impor- tant labor he appraised upwards of one thousand pieces of property during the summer and autumn of 1889. Mr. Scott has also been called upon fre- quently to act as arbitrator between appraisers in renewal of long leases, a fact further confirmatory of the high estimate in which his skill and equity are held by his contemporaries. Mr. Scott took an active and prominent part in the organization of the Real Estate Exchange and Auction Room of the city of New York, having as associates in the move- ment, Messrs. Ludlow, Harnett, Cammann, Cruik- shank and other well-known real estate men. He was a prominent attendant at the first meeting for this purpose, held at the office of the Real Estate Record and Guide, and was one of the Commissioners appointed by the Governor to collect subscriptions. Upon the incorporation of the Exchange he was elected a Director and has been continued in that capacity ever since. When the first Board of Direc- tors met, he was elected Secretary and held that of- fice up to the close of 1887 — serving during the administration of Presidents Ludlow and Cammann — when he resigned, receiving a special vote of thanks for his services, and many warm expressions of regret. The duties of the position during the time he held it were arduous and no salary was at- tached to it, but Mr. Scott devoted both time and energy unselfishly to the interests and advancement of the Exchange, even to the injury of his own private business. Mr. Scott has always entertained advanced views in regard to the importance and improvement of the Real Estate Exchange and has been styled "the leader of the progressive party among its members." Giving expression to his views in the press, in the early part of 1888, he said : •' I want to see a ready plan of real estate transfer, and then I want to see listed on the Exchange, « Ith a daily call or two calls, all stocks of companies which have their foundation in real estate. There are some of them now, and others could be organiz- ed to advantage. For instance, a man has a few thousand dollars to invest on mortgage; see what a bother it is. Instead, why could he not buy a few bonds of a company engaged in that business? The security could not be better. There is no possible star-chamber business about it, for everything is of record, and with a daily call a man could make a realization on a mortgage in an hour where it now takes weeks. There are too many antiquated methods about real estate, and from our experience and the standing which the Exchange would give listed stocks, we could keep all the safeguards and do away with the cumbersome machinery." In the election of 1889, Mr. Scott's name was brought forward as that of a candidate for the office of President. He received the faithful and enthusiastic support of the progressive element in the Board and was elected, succeeding President Cruikshank, and being the fourth incumbent of the office. He entered upon his duties saying ■ •' I intend to administer the affairs of the Exchange on an economical basis, and I shall devote my best efforts to increasing the influence and power of the Exchange in our State and city legislation, in the interests of the property owners and the people of this city." Since he assumed his duties, in the early part of 1890, the question of rapid transit has been brought up anew and is generally discussed as one of the most vital bearing upon the city's interests and the welfare of its residents. From the fiisi . Mr. Scott has realized the importance of rapid transit and has been among its warmest advocates. The Real Estate Exchange, under his administration, has made vigorous efforts to procure the passage of a Rapid Transit Bill which would, in some degree, at least, secure to the tax-payers of the metropolis ade- quate and rapid transportation facilities. While the last Legislature was in session, a committee of fifty influential members of the Exchange, headed by President Scott in person, went to Albany and pre- sented a memorial to the Senate and Assembly, pray- ing that the Legislature would not adjourn with- out making provision for the people's wants in this respect. The committee were allowed the extraor- dinary privilege of the floor of the Senate, and its chairman, President Scott, was accorded the unpre- cedented honor of addressing the President of the Senate on the floor of the Senate Chamber, and of presenting the memorial in person. The committee were also allowed the privilege of the floor of the 3 o8 contemporary biography of new york. Assembly, and were introduced to the Speaker of 1 the House and afterwards severally presented to the ! Governor of the State. When the Legislature ad- journed without having given the people the re- quired bill, President Scott called a meeting of all the members of the Exchange, for the purpose of petitioning the Governor to convene an extraordi- nary session of the Legislature, in order that this great question might be properly considered and a Rapid Transit Bill passed. In appreciation of his efficient administration, President Scott was recently presented by a few members of the Exchange with a handsome ivory gavel, suitably inscribed. At the time of the Johnstown floods, when the most promi- nent merchants and business men of the citj' were called together by the Mayor of the city of New York, and met in the Governor's room in the City Hall, to devise means for extending immediate relief to the sufferers, Mr. Scott was appointed Chairman of the Committee on ( )rganization, which named the Executive Committee. This latter body, of which General Wm. T. Sherman was chosen Chairman and Mr. Scott one of the Secretaries, raised over a million dollars, which was all sent into the Cone- maugh Valley. President Scott was appointed by the Mayor of New York, a member of the World's Fair Committee, called into being for the purpose of making arrangements for and holding an Interna- tional Exhibition in the city of New Y'ork on the quadro-centennial of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. He was among those who went to Washington, with Mr. Chauncey M. Depew and other influential citizens, to press the claims of New Y T ork before Congress, and while there devoted himself to interviewing Southern and Southwestern members, with most gratifying results. When Mr. Scott was chosen President of the Exchange, the New York Record commented upon his election as follows : "Mr. George II. Scott, the newly elected Presi- dent of the Real Estate Exchange, is well known by his long connection with this business. * * * He is thoroughly posted in everything relating to real estate matters and in his individual capacity transacts a large business in buying, selling and ex- changing property. * * * Mr. Scott will bring to his new position an intelligence and executive ability of a high order, qualifying him for the per- formance of the responsible duties devolving upon him. An idea of the magnitude of the regular do- ings of the Exchange during the past year can be gathered from the following figures: The real estate sold at auction was to the value of #49,943,- 113, an increase of #3,352,760 over the previous year. This sum expresses the doings on the floor of the Exchange alone, the sales effected by individual firms outside of these transactions being far in ex- cess of the figures mentioned. The financial condi- tion of the Exchange is favorable, the balance sheet i showing a net profit of #23,000.55 to the sinking fund. President Scott enters upon his official career under promising auspices, and, having the confidence and esteem of his associates, will doubt- less so direct the affairs of the Exchange as to make it a still greater power in all matters relating to its legitimate business." These predictions have been happily fulfilled, Mr. Scott's energy having kept the Exchange in the very forefront on all public questions. After spending twenty-one 3'ears of his business life in Pine Street, Mr. Scott — as a member of the firm of Scott k My- ers — moved, in 1885, to 146 Broadway. The firm has recently removed to the Real Estate Exchange Building in Liberty Street. Mr. Scott served in the Second Company of the famous Seventh Regiment of the National Guard of the State of New Y'ork, from 1865 to 1873, and is now a prominent member of the "Veterans of the Seventh Regiment," and of the Veteran Club. He is also a member of the Man- hattan, New York, New York Athletic, and Lawyers' Clubs: of the St. Nicholas Society (in which he derives membership on the maternal side) and of the Arion Society, in all of which, as well as in busi- ness and social circles, he is deservedlj' popular, being a man of many genial characteristics and of more than agreeable personality. He was married, in October, 1872, to Miss Libbie M. Raynor, of New Y r ork City, the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. Dr. Morgan, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Tyng, Jr., taking place in St. Thomas' Episcopal Church on Fifth Avenue, and being one of the most notable ever held in that imposing edi- fice. He has five children, viz.: William H. Raynor, William Marsden, Edna May, Minnie and Made- line. EATON, PROF. DARWIN GROVES, A.M., M.D., Ph.D., an eminent American educator and scientist, and for upwards of thirty years Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science in several leading educational institutions of the State of New Y T ork, was born at Portland, Chautauqua County, New Y'ork, on March 6, 1822. He is of the seventh generation of his name in xVmerica, and is a descendant of Jonas Eaton, who came from Wales about the year 1640 and settled in Massachusetts. The old records show that Jonas Eaton and his wife Grace resided at Reading, Massachusetts. They had eight children. John, the second of these, born September 10, 1645, and his wife Dorcas, had ten children. Jonas (2d) the fourth of these, born May 18, 1680, and his wife Mehitable, also had ten chil- dren. He removed from Reading to Framingham, Massachusetts, and built a house there, upon the site - CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 309 of which stands " the old Eaton house," the home- stead of the family for many years. Jonas Eaton (2d | died in 1727. His ninth child, Benjamin, born October 9, 1723, married Beula Stone and they had five children, of whom the fourth, Benjamin (2d) born July 27, 1754, married Mary Stacy. The chil- dren of this couple were ten in number, of whom David, the fifth, born in Framingham, February 2, 1782, was the father of the subject of this sketch The life of David Eaton presents many strong and salient features. He possessed in a very marked degree the characteristic traits of the best type of the New Englander of his day, and more than a mere allusion to him should be made in a biographi- cal sketch of one of his children, who inherits in notable degree many of his most estimable qualities of head and heart. David Eaton was the eldest son of his parents. His father, Benjamin Eaton (2d) although a man of sterling integrity and a master of the trade of boot and shoe making, seems not to have been born with those pushing business quali- ties which command or lead to financial success, and, in consequence, remained a workman all his life. Nevertheless, he was an intelligent and faith- ful workman, and while not rich in the world's goods, was really affluent in the esteem and good will of all who knew him. For years he was in the employ of Nathan Fay, an energetic business man of Southbury, Massachusetts, whose boot and shoe factory was among the pioneer establishments in this great industry in "the old Bay State." He was such a reliable workman that he was not required to work in the factory, but was permitted to take the stock to be manufactured to his own dwelling, where, with the aid of his son David, he prepared it for the market. David was a mere child when he began to help his father, but he worked with a will, and at fourteen years of age he was able to do the work of a mature hand. In 1800 Benjamin Eaton died, and to David, as the eldest son, fell the grave responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and a houseful of children. With a manliness of char- acter which stands out with undimmed brilliancy even after the lapse of almost a century, he took up the heavy burden laid down by his honest father at his death, and bore it nobly and faithfully until it was lightened by the decrees of Providence. At the death of their father, David and his only surviving brother, Cyrus, "who was extremely anxious for a liberal education, and had in part prepared himself to enter college," made an arrangement whereby the first named was to remain at home and care for the family, and the last named, by teaching and by other means, should make his way through college. This arrangement was strictly adhered to, and Cyrus eventually graduated at Bowdoin College, became a teacher in his Alma Mater, and afterward Principal of an academy in the same State. But this heroic unselfishness of David was not without its reward. Cyrus, during the vacation season, spent a portion of his time at home, and devoted himself to teaching his elder brother. He was an adept in the study of the languages, yet his brother David surpassed him in mathematics, astronomy and kindred science, al- though he had no school training and only desultory tuition from the clergyman of the parish. By the time David became of age death had worked such havoc in the family that only a few of the children remained— the others succumbing to that dreadful scourge— scarlet fever. In the winter of 1804-5 David Eaton abandoned the manufacture of shoes to engage in teaching school near Bangor, Maine, where he had gone on a visit to his brother Cyrus. In the spring of 1805 he returned to Southbury and in company with Mr. Nathan Fay, set out to explore the Holland Patent (then being extensively adver- tised as a desirable locality in which to found homes) to which their eyes as well as those of their neigh- bors had been longingly turned for many a day. In a " biographical sketch of David Eaton," prepared for the Chautauqua County Society of History and Natural Sciences, by Dr. H. C. Taylor, of Portland, New York, a very full account of the journey is given, which shows it to have been one of great hardship. Nevertheless the young explorers were pleased with their investigations and, upon their re- turn to Southbury, communicated their impressions to their neighbors and friends, many of whom were influenced to migrate westward, a large number as far as Chautauqua County, New York, then a wil- derness. In the winter of 1805-0, David Eaton again taught school, and on April 20, following, was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Home. Early in May, 1806, " he left the home of his fathers, witli all his effects, and a family consisting of a wife, mother and sister." The limits of this article do not permit of even a brief account of this memorable journey, during which Mrs. Eaton, who was in delicate health, died. Suffice it to say that David Eaton finally reached his destination and took up land in the new town of Portland, the article for which was dated Jul)' 9, 1800. "The clearing of land was the order with ever}' settler, and Mr. Eaton was no exception. The sturdy blows of his axe soon opened the forest and let in the sunlight, and a generous soil ever after furnished him all the necessaries of life. His mother kept his home, and his sister, Miss Anna Eaton, taught school until 1815, when she married Solomon Nichok and removed to Whitestown, Oneida Coun- ty." On March G. 1811, Mr. Eaton married Mercy CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. 3IO Groves Fay, widow of Nathan Fay, his friend apd brother pioneer, and daughter of Retire Groves, Esq., of Whitestown, Oneida County, New York, whose wife, born Abigail King, was the aunt of the Rev. Jonas King, the celebrated missionary to Athens in the early part of the present century. This marriage was the consummation of an attach- ment which had long existed and it was ideally per- fect. In his new home David Eaton rose to be a man of consequence and position. As a Lieutenant in the militia he served in the War of 1812 from its beginning until 1814, and at the battle of Queens- town, October 3, 1812, was wounded by a ball which permanently disabled his wrist. He was pro- moted to the rank of regimental paymaster in 1814, and served as such until the close of the war, being present, however, at the battle of Black Rock and Buffalo, December 30, 1813, and on the Niagara frontier in August and September, 1814. He was Supervisor of the town of Portland in 1815, '16, '17 and '18, and again in 1834 and '35; Clerk of the Board of Supervisors from 1820 to 1827 ; Justice of the Peace from 1829 to 1834, and Superintendent of the Poor from 1844 to 1850. Mr. Eaton was always one of the leading spirits in every movement for the good of the town and its people. In 1815 and '16 he was active, with others, in the formation of a company, incorporated in 1817, formed for the con- struction of a turnpike road from the village of Buf- falo to the east line of Pennsylvania. Through his influence a public library was established in Port- land, in 1824, and was maintained for many years. He was also largely instrumental in founding the First Congregational Church in Portland, organized January 31, 1818. David Eaton was a splendid ex- ample of a self-educated man. He was a careful student and accurate observer of nature, and not- withstanding his family cares, and the demands made upon him by his official duties and the man- agement of a large farm, he found leisure to pursue his studies and perfect his knowledge of mathe- matics and natural science. In the commodious house with which he supplanted the log cabin that served as his first abode in Portland, he had a room for himself alone where he kept his books, instru- ments and appliances, and to which he frequently retired to refresh his wearied physical nature by delving into the mysteries of the heavens. By the help of astronomical tables brought from his home in Massachusetts, he calculated with great accuracy all the eclipses of the sun and moon for more than twenty years in advance, and had them carefully de- picted in a book which he kept for that purpose. He was an accurate surveyor and was frequently employed by his neighbors in that capacity, as also in the drawing of deeds, mortgages, wills and other legal documents. His observations of natural phe- nomena were carefully recorded in a book kept for that purpose, and covered a period of more than thirty years. Three times a day he entered the tem- perature, direction of wind, and face of the sky. He was not able to have a barometer, but by means of an extemporized rain-gauge, he kept a record of the rain-fall, melting the snow for that purpose in win- ter. He recorded every hail-storm and thunder- storm, with any peculiar electrical phenomena noticed, and every unusual appearance in the heavens, such as aurora borealis, halos around the sun or moon, comets, meteors, etc., etc. He like- wise carefully recorded the first appearance of the spring birds, of the house fly and other insects : the leaving out of forest trees, the blooming of fruit trees, of wild flowers, etc., etc. It is hardly neces- sary to add that " he was a Nestor among the early settlers and a patriarch in his family, a gentleman and a Christian." His mother died October 14, 1848, aged ninety-five years six months; his wife died. May 12, 1862, aged seventy-three years six months ; and he himself died October 7, 1872, aged ninety years and eight months. He left five children — Edwin, Emily, Alfred, Oscar and Darwin Groves, all of whom were born in Portland. The last named and youngest, who is the subject of this sketch, was named Darwin after the grandfather of the great naturalist, who was a poet and wrote a poem on Gardening, which so pleased Mr. David Eaton that he named his son in his honor. The lad's other name — Groves — was in honor of his mother's family. Darwin Groves Eaton was bred on his father's farm, and received his early education at the local public school. His progress in the more advanced studies was accomplished under the tui- tion of his father, who displayed great pains and tact in carrying out the task. In the winter months Darwin taught school to earn money for an academic education in a neighboring village. His father was a very companionable man, and under his influence and tuition his children, as their minds expanded, naturally acquired a fondness for science and espec- ially for mathematical and natural science. Darwin inherited a fondness for these pursuits and also great natural powers of observation. Soon after completing the course in algebra and geometrj' at the academy, he began, under his father's in- struction, the study of astronomy, and soon be- came able to calculate eclipses. He also acquired a thorough knowledge of surveying and was able to survey neighbors' farms as occasion offered ; and this, with teaching school winters, enabled him to earn money to aid in obtaining a higher CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. education. His father, never having studied bot- any, took up that science with his son and to gether it was their custom to spend about two hours of Saturday afternoon in field work. The herbar- ium thus prepared comprised most of the plants native to that region. Later they took up the study of geology together, and the banks of Lake Erie and the deep ravines of tributary streams afforded am pie opportunity for the study of rocks, especiallv those of the Portage and Chemung groups, with their characteristic fossils. The house of David Eaton was the abode of generous hospitality and frequently the resort of academic teachers and other scientific men. Prof. James Hall was occasionally entertained within its walls, during his early labors in that county ; and some years later, Darwin, then himself a man of science, had the pleasure of studying paleontology at Albany under his tuition. Darwin G. Eaton began teaching at the age of eighteen and taught five years iu the public schools, still hoping to compass a college education. Having, however^e- cided to adopt the profession of teaching as a life vocation, he entered the State Normal School at Al- bany, in 1845, soon after the opening of that institu- tion, under the principalship of David P. Page, the pioneer of pedagogy in the State of New York.' In the autumn of 1845 he was selected by Principal Page to assist Professor Albert D. Wright in con- ducting a Teachers' Institute at Monticello, Sullivan County, New York. At the close of that Institute he was induced by Prof. Wright to assist him in two other institutes, one at Cairo, Greene County, and one at Rome, Oneida County. The reputation he acquired in this work preceded him to Albany and bore fruit on November 5, 1845, shortly after his re- turn to that city, in his appointment to the position of teacher in the State Normal School. His vaca- tions, thereafter, while he was connected with that institution, were spent mostly in conduct- ing Teachers' Institutes in New York and other States. In all, his engagements in this work num- bered eighteen, eleven of which were in New York, three in Maine, two in New Hampshire and two in New Jersey. On March 10, 1846, having completed the full course of study at the Normal School, he was graduated from that Institution. He continued at the State Normal School as teacher of Physiology, Mathematics, etc., until July 24, 1851, when he resigned to accept a professorship in the Brook- lyn Female Academy — which afterwards became the Packer Collegiate Institute. This position he occupied until 1883, when ill health com- pelled his resignation, which was reluctantly ac- I cepted. During his connection with the Packer Institute, he spent three vacation seasons in Europe, ! 3ii and devoted one year to visiting educational estab- lishnieats in England, France, Germany and Italy: on the latter occasion extending his travels to Egypt Palestine and Greece. Dr. Eaton's connection^ ith the Packer Institute began when the cause of the higher education for women was still in its infancy in America. The President of the Institute, the late Prof. Alonzo Crittenden, was one of the pioneers in the movement in this country: and from his long and intimate association with this distinguished and worthy man, Dr. Eaton, upon whom he leaned, par- ticularly in the latter years of his life, will always be remembered and honored in connection with this great practical advance in educational work. Dur- ing the absence of President Crittenden iu Europe, Dr. Eaton was acting President for a year or two', during which the affairs of the Institute were not permitted to suffer in his hands. Upon the death of Dr. Crittenden, which occurred on January 33, 1883, Professor Eaton was elected President of the Packer Institute. At this time he, himself, was prostrated by serious illness, with no apparent hope of recovery, and under the circumstances felt com- pelled to decline the honor. While connected with the Packer Institute, Dr. Eaton was Professor of Chemistry in the Long Island College Hospital, of Brooklyn, tor several years; and received from that institution the honorary degree of Doctor of Medi- cine in 1864. From his youth up the science of as- tronomy has been a favorite study with him. The early instruction in it, received from his father, de- veloped a taste for research which has been culti- vated with zeal and intelligence ever since, and has resulted in placing Professor Eaton's name in the list of American amateur astronomers. Among his more public labors in this field may be mentioned the observation of the total eclipse of the sun at Burlington, Iowa, in 1869, reported to Professor Coffin of the Government party j and the observa- tion of the total eclipse of the sun in 1878, made at Idaho Springs, in the Rocky Mountains. Since sever- ing his connection with the Packer Institute, Dr. Eaton has not been connected with any educational institution, but is an associate member of the Brooklyn Institute, in which he is a member of the Council and President of the Department of Geology. On recovering his health in 1885 he spent one year traveling in California, Oregon and Washington, and also visited the Sandwich Islands, for the purpose of studying the volcanic phenomena there exhibited. He has given much time to the study of volcanoes, having visited Vesuvius several times for that pur- pose. In 1858 he had the good fortune to be present during- the grand eruption. In 1873 he visited Vesuvius again, and found the mountain had gained 312 CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. six hundred and eleven feet in height since his.for- mer visit. Professor Eaton's special excellence as a teacher lies partly in the clearness of his explana- tions. He conveys instruction in such an interest- ing way that it produces its effect upon the mind without undue fatigue, hut not without proper men- tal effort on the part of the student, and leaves a permanent and pleasant impression at the close of the lesson, rather than a feeling of exhaustion. His occasional public lectures on scientific subjects are very popular and are always well attended by intel- ligent and appreciative audiences. Among educa- tors and scientific men he occupies an honored place, and is held in warm esteem. Dr. Eaton received the degree of Master of Arts from Hamil- ton College in 1850 and the degree of Doctor of Phil- osophy from the same College in 1870. He has been a member of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science since 1870, and in 1874 was elected a Fellow. Dr. Eaton is a communicant in the Presbyterian Church and has held the office of Riding Elder therein thirty-two years. He was twice elected to the General Assembly. For many years he was a Director in the Brooklyn City Bible Society, the City Mission and Tract Society and a member of the Presbyterian Board of Home Mis- sions. He was also for several years President of the Young Men's Christian Association of the city of Brooklyn. He took an active part in founding the Hamilton Club of Brooklyn, in which he retained membership until failing health compelled him to withdraw, temporarily, at least, from this and other organizations in which he took great pride and the associations of which were peculiarly pleasant. He has recently become a Trustee of the Packer Insti- tute, in which he was so long a member of the Fac- ulty. In concluding this sketch of one whose life has been given to the great cause of education, the words of the editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, eulogizing the teachers' profession, seem specialty applicable : •'Honor to the educators of America. They are more than statesmen. They make the men and women who make the homes which make the land. Their reward is not in 'storied urn or animated bust,' in long obituary or Latin epitaph, but iu the grate- ful memories of those whom they have taught and who under their patient teaching have ceased to do evil and learned to do well." BEAL, WILLIAM REYNOLDS-, a leading citizen of New York, President of the Central Gas- Light Company of New Y T ork City and of the Win. R. Beal Land and Improvement Company, also of that city, and for more than a quarter of a cen- tury prominently identified with that section of the metropolis now comprised within the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards, was born at Newark, New Jersey, May 13, 1838. His parents were Joseph Reynolds Beal, Esq., born in London, England, towards the close of the last century, and Elizabeth Austen Beal, also a native of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Beal were married in London and lived there during the earlier years of their wedded life, but came to America about the year 1830 and settled at Newark, New Jersey, where their younger children were born. Joseph Reynolds Beal was a gentleman of culture and refinement, and both he and his wife were of good family. Mr. Beal died at Newark, Sep- tember 20, 1848; his wife died at the same place, No- vember 16, 1846. "William Reynolds Beal, the sub- ject of this sketch, was the seventh in a family of nine children. He spent his earlier years at Newark and in boyhood attended the excellent school con- nected with Grace Episcopal Church in that city, of which John Lockwood, Jr. ,a distinguished educa- tor of that day, and afterwards founder of the well known Adelphi Academy, in Brooklyn, was then Principal. Here he graduated witli high honor and was about to enter upon a preparatory - course for admission to college, when the deatli of his father at a comparatively early age caused him to turn his attention to a business career. At the age of four- teen years he secured a position as assistant in the office of the Newark Gas Light Company. About two years later he was appointed assistant to Mr. S. S. Battin, a prominent engineer, who was then build- ing the gas works at Elizabeth. New Jersey, and continued with him until the completion of this work. In 1855, having accepted the position of Superintendent of the Gas Company at Y r onkers, Westchester County. New Y T ork, he removed to that nourishing town and at once assumed charge of the company's works. As Superintendent he displayed good administrative ability, and although still a young man, gave ample evidence of having found a congenial field for the exercise of Ins natural talents. He remained with the company eleven years and during that time labored with rare zeal in its inter- ests, leaving it at the close of this period in a most prosperous condition. W r bile residing at Y'onker* Mr. Beal was for a time also extensively and suc- cessfully engaged in the general contracting busi- ness, employing large numbers of men and horses and being concerned in a great many of the local improvements. With commendable spirit Mr. Beal took an active interest in public affairs generally and was prominent in every movement inaugurated dur- ing his residence in the town which promised well for its inhabitants. He was one of the prime movers in CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK. the organization of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and gave matenal assistance in building the handsome edifice in which its congregation has since wor- shiped. He was otherwise prominent in church work and was a vestryman of the parish for a num- ber of years. In 1866, declining flattering and sub stantial inducements held out to him to remain Mr Beal severed his connection with the Yonkers'Gas Company and removed to Morrisania for the pur pose of accepting the position "of Superintendent and Secretary of the Westchester Gas Light Com- pany. At that time this company supplied the towns of Morrisania and West Farms, and its business was of growing importance. In 1870 Mr Beal in association with the late Riley A. Brick, a promi- nent merchant of New York, took a leading par t in establishing the Northern Gas Light Company for supplying West Farms, Fordham and adjacent vil- kges, now constituting the Twenty-fourth Ward of the city, and was the engineer employed to desio-u its works. He is now the Consulting Engineer of the company and Chairman of its Board of Direct- ors. In 1874, upon the annexation to the city of New York of the towns of Morrisania and West Farms, now comprising respectively the Twentv- third and Twenty-fourth Wards of the metropolis, the name of the company supplying the Twenty- third Ward was changed, for obvious reasons, to that of the Central Gas Light Company of New York City. In this company Mr. Beal, who is its largest stockholder, has had at different times as colleagues in the Board of Directors, a number of the principal residents in this upper district of the city, anions them being the late Colonel Richard 31. Hoe, Jordan L. Mott, H. P. Whitney, .John J. Crane, Silas D. Gif- ford and Isaac D. Fletcher.. In 1872 Mr. Beal was chosen President. His promotion to this position was a fitting recognition of his executive ability. Under his administration the affairs of the company have been conducted with zeal and wisdom, and its stockholders' interests have been faithfully and carefully conserved and promoted. Thoroughly fa- miliar with every feature of the gas business, me- chanical, clerical and administrative, and practically experienced in each of these departments, he has been able to accomplish what few merely executive officers could achieve. A number of his inventions have a value and usefulness which are widely recog- uized. Mr. Beal is now developing a new process for the manufacture of coal gas, which, if successful, will radically change the present methods, improv- ing the quality of gas and cheapening the cost of production. Always a firm believer in the future of the " annexed district," he has purchased largely of real estate, principally in the Twenty-third J' J Ward, in which he has resided for about twenty- five years: and is also the owner of a numb r of houses ,n that ward. In association with sev the William R. Beal Land and Improvement ConJ pany, which has at command and is now utUiifak large means for developing its valuable property. From an early period in his life, Mr. Beal has been an active and intelligent as well as liberal promoter of public education. For six years he ' was a member of the Board of Trustees of Rubers Female College, and is now a prominent member and was Chairman for several years of the Board of School Trustees of the Twenty-third Ward. In the sectmn in which he resides are several of the largest schools within the city limits. Close observation of the present school system, extending through a- number of years, during which his official connec- tion with public education has afforded him ample and excellent opportunities for forming an opinion has convinced Mr. Beal that there exists a le-iti' mate demand for educational facilities beyond those furnished by the ordinary grammar schools. He is of opmion that the time is ripe for the establish- ment, in different sections of the city, of Hi