Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 131

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 131

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ness. His coins were not stamped by the fingers of Midas, but rather they recorded the quest of Jason.

"He was a student of geography, of history, and of the world's physical requirements. Particularly he studied the needs of localities in our own coun- try, and the resources from which they might satis- fy and gratify these needs.

"The intricate net-work of railways which lie between the two oceans, were as familiar to him as were his own garden-paths. Surely there must be a difference between that position which makes a man buy railroad interests, and railroad promises, when he has no knowledge of the location of the railway, and is ignorant of the force of its obliga- tion, and that disposition which decides a man in acquiring ownership in railways, when he is famil- iar with their relative positions, conditions and prospects.

"Wealth, properly obtained, comes to no man spontaneously. Acquaintance with the circum- stances of its possession will generally reveal the mental shovel and the intellectual barrow. It was so with the acquired property of Mr. Lathrop. It came to him as the legitimate wages of mind and body. It grew and increased because fostered with prudence and management.

"He was much given to the serious study of political economy, and held and argued the belief of our nation's commercial liberty. He thought the ability of a nation to fight unassisted would certainly argue its ability to stand alone. He was not only familiar with the writings of those who had given their opinions and theories to the world upon the commercial relations of nations, but he corresponded not infrequently with some very cap- able modern writers upon this subject, and was accustomed, when in conversation upon this topic, to maintain his opinions with vigor and per- sistency.

" He carefully considered the relation existing, and which should exist, between the government and the governed. Here too he held very strong and pronounced views. During the dark days of our civil war, Mr. Lathrop's purse and hand were at the service of his country. He was a bitter foe to those principles which were hostile to our hap- piness, prosperity and continuance as a people. At this time, when many were accustomed to con- strue very loosely their duty in responding by pro- portionate exactions to the support of the public service, he cheerfully and generously contributed whatever the Government required of him. What was a civil burden to others, was to him a civil and solemn duty.

" Mr. Lathrop indulged in but few relaxations from the cares of business. The only prominent pursuit leading at all away from his daily occupa- tion, was the breeding of horses, and even here his motive was practical, and by care and wisdom he sought to develop a race of horses which should prove more serviceable to man. He studied the anatomy of the horse, and could learnedly explain at which point nature had made provision for higher development. He knew almost immedi-

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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF ALBANY.

ately when he saw a horse in distress how and where to apply relief.

"He was accustomed frequently to express his views as to the treatment and development of this faithful servant of the human race in the different journals devoted to this important subject, and more than all he directly, and through unsuspected channels, worked constantly and effectively to pre- vent the ignorant and reckless use upon the horse of those modern appliances which, while they are supposed to increase, only destroy his strength, his speed and his beauty. Mr. Lathrop belonged to several organizations whose object it is to im- prove the horse, and here he was recognized as the intelligent breeder and the charming gentleman.

" The social element in Mr. Lathrop's, character was strong and conspicuous. Not that he cared for what we generically term society. It was in the little coterie where friend was knit to friend by sincere affection, that his light most brilliantly shone. His humor was pleasant and happy, never harmful or degenerate. The grasp of his hand meant confidence. His smile was an invitation to amity. A Christian minister has said that he never met him but that he felt that he was in the sun- shine. In his friendship he was frank, sincere, true and loyal. His manners belonged not to our generation, but to that of our fathers, when courtesy between man and man was cultivated; when polite- ness was reciprocal; when there was deportment without affectation and formality without coldness. Prosperity gave him all the chastening worth of ad- versity.

" The conversational powers possessed by Mr. Lathrop were generally commented upon by those who know him. His discourse was rich in word and thought. The well-filled storehouse of his in- formation was drawn upon readily by his facile tongue, and he generously provided his hearers with the wholesomeness of instruction and the delicacy of entertainment.

" His descriptive powers were marvelous. His friends will remember how familiar he made them with the scenes through which he passed when on a visit to California in 1866. He displayed all the richness of imagery without intrenching upon the ground of imagination. The extent of his vocab- ulary was shown by his seldom clothing an idea twice with the same words or terms. Thus the repetition of a story had ever a new charm. In some of his talking moods we have never heard a professional advocate speak with such clearness of argument or such flow of diction.

"Though he wrote remarkably well, the mere mechanical act of writing seemed to make him guarded in his words, and over-careful of his ex- pressions. The fountain of his thought had its flow through the tongue rather than the pen.

" A man's charity and his religion are two sub- jects which always seem hedged about by a certain sacredness. In these days benevolence is often easily described by the word subscription, and religion by the word ceremony.

" To one who heard the anxious inquiries of the poor for Mr. Lathrop's condition from day to day

as he lay ill, and their tender expressions of solici- tude as he drew near the time of his departure, there would be little need to speak of him as their friend; made so by a lively interest in their poverty, and the warmth of a helpful hand.

" Surely Mr. Lathrop ought not to reap spar- ingly, for he did not sow sparingly. He gave without stint, and the pensioners who were about him did him more honor and sincere service than hired or liveried retinues. He preferred not to have his name appear upon subscription books, but we known of no charities, without distinction of sect, to which he did not contribute. His benevolence did not have its rise in the annoyance which comes from importunity, but from quick and deep sym- pathy with the unfortunate, and his abiding reverence for the Divine commandments which encircle duty.

" Mr. Lathrop never made a parade of the views he entertained concerning his relations to the Crea- tor. He occupied the attitude of one who stood with reverence and faith before that which he did not comprehend. He was like one who held a hand in the darkness. The evanescence of all earthly things; the obligations of rectitude and honor; the certainty of death, and, after death, the resurrection, were mementoes embodied in his creed. Some weeks before his death, when his spirits were vigorous, and there was hope of his soon regaining his bodily powers, he told the writer in earnest words of his entire submission to the Divine will, and of the peace and contentment he felt in the Divine guidance.

"How excellent then were the qualities of him we mourn; how fragrant shall be his memory! As we dwell upon his character, whatever of failure the most sifting search can find, we shall perceive to be but the imperfection which belongs to incomplete- ness. The earthly tabernacle man erects is never faultless. His was a sturdy and withal a stately building.

" If he had great business sagacity, it was mor- tised to the most unyielding probity. If he had forethought, there was with it exceeding great charity. If in his giving he was profuse, yet never was he wasteful. If he was genial and companion- able, he practiced the restraint of temperance. If he exacted equity, he rendered to all men justice and their rights. If he exhibited the strength of unusual activity and energy, he likewise displayed the strength of reserve force and funded power. If he at times gave the rein to impatience, the sun and his wrath never traveled far together. If he recog- nized the responsibility of human agency in the making of events, he relegated to the Deity the providence, the mystery and the glory of the Di- vine government."

Mr. Lathrop was married, in 1855, to Miss Harriet Wilson, who, with their three daughters, Jeannie W., Cliristine M., and Aimee G. Lathrop, survive him.

Nothing that could be introduced here by way of comment upon Mr. Lathrop's charities would add to the measure of apprecation thereof expressed in Mr. Thacher's memorial. A brief mention of some of their most prominent objects may be in- dulged in, however, more as a gratification to those

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who have such good cause to remember him grate- fully than because it is at all necessary as an ad- dition to what has already been so well said of Mr. Lathrop in that respect. He was specially inter- ested in, and more than generous to, St. Peter's Hospital, Bishop Doane's Children's Convalescent Home, and the Old Ladies' Home. Many will re- member his noble charity, in the summer of 1882, to the crippled children sojourning at Saratoga- how he took them on an excursion to the head of the lake, and gave them a handsome dinner there; how in person he carried some of the disabled ones, and spoke words of kindness to them all; how, when a generous neighbor proposed to share the expense with him, he said, "No, this is my treat; you can, if you please, take them another time." He was accustomed to remark that "people are very apt to be generous when it is not necessary that they should be so. A man will loan $100, or $500, or perhaps give to a friend in the form of a present; but if by reverse of fortune that friend should come to poverty, and in his distress should wish to borrow $10, very likely it will be refused or loaned grudgingly." He was opposed to such misnamed frindship as this, and contended that if a person were really worthy of assistance and needed it, it should be accorded to him freely and in such a spirit as not to humiliate him or make him sorry to be its recipient.

HON. GEORGE H. THACHER.

The biography we have now to relate tells its own significant story. In firm courage under all difficulties; in a sublime- moral heroism in the execution of the plans of a lifetime; and in marked results from perseverance, industry and integrity, it affords an example such as is seldom found.

Hon. George H. Thacher was born in Hornells- ville, Steuben County, N. Y., June 4, 1818. His mother's maiden name was Hornell, and that town takes its name from the same family. At the age of four years he was cast upon the world in a con- dition of utter poverty, without friends, and as helpless as a leaf upon the waters. After many intervening struggles, he obtained, when sixteen years old, in 1834, the position of cabin-boy on a steamer on Lake Erie. There he earned his first money, which he expended in procuring an edu- cation, working early and late, before and after school, to pay his board. His was a reflective mind. While he was engaged in the humble, and even menial, duties of a cabin-boy, it was often occupied with thoughts of the future. He deter- mined to rise above the station in which poverty and friendlessness had left him, and he foresaw that one of the most effective agencies in the battle before him would be an education. This he set about saving money to obtain, and at length, to his inexpressible joy, began his studies.

Not long after this he entered an academy, boarding himself during term time. He obtained the requisite amount of money by earning some- thing each day in extra hours and in the vacations. All this required self-denial and providence of the

most severe kind, but he felt fully repaid in the advancement which he was making on the road to knowledge. In a like manner he managed to get a passable collegiate education, graduating at Union College, Schenectady, in 1843.

Continuing the struggle of life with an indomi- table will, he acquired a few thousand dollars. In 1849 he came to Albany, and entered into the business of manufacturing stoves, with a partner. This partnership was dissolved in 1852. Mr. Thacher then began the manufacture of car-wheels and other railroad castings which he has continued to the present time. During the first three years he labored daily at the foundry, at all kinds of manual work. He was constantly with his men, like them having his dinner sent to him, and in addition to this he kept his own books, wrote all receipts, statements, etc., and made all purchases and collections. The business has since largely increased from year to year. The New York Cen- tral Railway and other important roads are chiefly supplied with the wheels of this foundry.

It has not been alone to the commercial pros- perity of the City of Albany that Mr. Thacher has contributed by his enterprise and public spirit ; and his interest has not been confined to his own immediate business, however admirably the latter has been conducted. Long identified with munic- ipal interests, his public life has been character- ized by a devotion to duty and an integrity that have secured to him the highest esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was first elected to office in 1859, when he became an Alderman, but served only one year. In the spring of 1860 he resigned, in order to accept the nomination for Mayor, to which office he was triumphantly elected. In 1866 he was re-elected, and in 1870 he was a third time elected by a large vote. He was called to fill the same honorable position for the fourth time in 1872.

In every popular movement which for years has occurred, Mr. Thacher has been particularly con- spicuous for his zeal, his generosity and his patriotism. In the support of the United States Government during the civil war, he was con- spicuous-even above many whose labors and sacrifices in behalf of the Union cause were note- worthy. During his long and prominent identi- fication with the history of the city, he has been called to take part in scenes of great importance and even national significance, which are detailed in his valuable and interesting reminiscences pub- lished elsewhere in this volume-scenes which, though Mr. Thacher was one of the most promi- nent actors in them, were of too great general interest, and belonged too much to history in its broader sense, to be dismissed in a mere sketch of his life.

Mr. Thacher is a man who has reached success by the most thorough personal identity with every plan of his life and its execution. Fortunate cir- cumstances were in no sense means by which he sought or secured his ends. He did not expect anything of the kind, and he never lost time and patience, as so many do, in looking for them. He

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looked solely into his own heart and mind for the resolution and ability that were necessary to carve out success. This was not vanity, but the calm resolution of that higher nature which asserts and displays itself in those persons destined for vic- torious struggles with fortune.

He has now an ample competency, which it is his aim to use not simply for himself and family, but for the benefit of others. Remembering his own vicissitudes of life, and his hard battles with the world, he hopes to render himself useful to those who are struggling in the same way. Pure in character, generous with his means, enterprising in business, and public-spirited as a citizen, he fills the highest conceptions of a noble manhood.

In a personal conversation with Mr. Thacher, he said to the writer of this sketch : "Many people have an erroneous idea in regard to self- made men. The truth is that all men who attain meritorious distinction, whether born in affluence or poverty, are self-made men. Every man builds himself. He who is born to wealth; who is nursed and reared in luxury; whose entire sur- roundings are so many temptations to idleness, dissipation, or a life of pleasure; and yet, despite all these influences, makes a man of himself, deserves, in my judgment, more credit than he who rises from obscurity and poverty. Both are deserving, but the former exhibits the moral grandeur of self-denial, while the latter acts from the spur of necessity. I do not, therefore, lay claim to extra credit for the comparative success which I have achieved."

HON. JOHN B. THACHER.

Hon. John Boyd Thacher was born at Ballston Springs, N. Y., September 11, 1847. He is the eldest son of Hon. George H. Thacher, who was for many years Mayor of Albany. His mother was Ursula J. Boyd, daughter of David Boyd, Esq., of Schenectady. His first American ancestor was Rev. Thomas Thacher, who was the first pastor of the Old South Church of Boston. His father's mater- nal grandfather, Judge Hornell, was the founder of the important town of Hornellsville, N. Y.

To ex-Mayor George H. Thacher it is needless to allude in this connection, more than to pay, in passing, a tribute of respect to one who was once one of the most prominent business men of Albany, and who has been referred to as "that old war- horse of the Democracy, who, in years gone by, so often led the party to victory." In nothing the elder Thacher ever did, did he show sounder com- mon sense than in the education he gave his son, John B., to fit him for the duties of life-an edu- cation so practical as to fully inform him upon the little understood conflicting claims of capital and labor. After the usual preparatory course, Senator Thacher entered Williams College, from which in- stitution he graduated with honor in 1869. Far too many college graduates, and far too many fathers of college graduates, imagine that with a diploma and a degree the work of education comes to a full stop. The Thachers, father and son, made no such mis-

take. Throwing aside the broadcloth and white linen of the student, John B. Thacher entered his father's foundry, and, step by step, was taught the trade of a molder. He learned iron as he had previously learned books, and became as industri- ous a workingman as he had been a diligent stu- dent. His evenings were passed in taking a thor- ough course of book-keeping and accounts in Folsom's Business College. Having mastered his trade of molder, and become proficient in the de- tails of the office work connected with his father's business, he became a member of his father's firm January 1, 1873, and not long afterward assumed active management of the concern.

With his brother, George H. Thacher, Jr., Sen- ator Thacher carries on the manufacture of car- wheels, which business they inherited from their father, who established it more than thirty-five years ago. Their establishment, known as the Thacher Car Works, is one of the most extensive manufac- tories in Albany, and is located on Thacher street, east of Broadway.

During the protracted period mentioned, there have been many strikes in the city and county, and other serious labor troubles, growing out of one cause or another; but in all these years the firm of which Senator Thacher is a member has never had a word of difficulty with its employees. It is likely that the principal reason for this is to be discovered in the fact that the firm has always paid the highest price for skilled labor, and to-day is paying exactly the same schedule that it paid during the war, when wages were higher than they ever were before. Is there another firm in the country of which more can be said ?

There is nothing of the professional labor re- former about Senator Thacher, but the simple statement of such a fact is worth more than columns of the most elaborate argument to any intelligent man.

Mr. Thacher's first active connection with public affairs was as a member of the Board of Health of Albany. While serving in that capacity, his atten- tion was called to the subject of tenement houses and their relation to public health. While in New York during the winter of 1883-84, he further ex- amined this subject, as a result of which investiga- tion he introduced and carried through the Legis- lature a bill appointing a Commission, which afterward organized with Joseph W, Drexel, Esq., as Chairman, to examine into the character and condition of the tenement houses in the City of New York. From this Commission, so admirably adapted to pursue an inquiry of this kind, it is believed great benefits and much remedial legislation will flow. When Mr. Thacher stood before the public as the nominee of the Democracy for State Senator, to represent the Seventeenth District, he was re- ferred to thus in one of the leading newspapers of Albany:

" In selecting a man to represent the County of Albany in the State Senate for the next two years, the Democratic party has acted with wisdom and discretion. It was important that the candidate placed in nomination should, in as large a sense as

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possible, represent the whole people-labor as well as capital, brain as well as brawn, business as well as culture, thought as well as action. Such a man is John Boyd Thacher-young, active, enterprising, honorably ambitious, an Albanian by early adop- tion, by family, and by business and social interests. -X- * * *- *

" Mr. Thacher has never held a political office, for membership in the Board of Health can hardly be called such; but from his youth he has taken an active and healthy interest in the affairs of the city, State and nation. In 1876 he tried public speaking for the national Democratic ticket, and did some effective work in this line in the southern tier of counties, in company with Mr. D. Cady Herrick and other Albanians; but with the modesty that so becomes him, he has waited for duty to call in un- mistakable tones before accepting the nomination to any elective office. This honor came unsought; it was accepted with hesitation. Many a young man surrounded, as is Mr. Thacher, with the cir- cumstances so well suited to his tastes, would have declined any demand that the party might make upon him; but the sentiment of the Democracy was so united, so cordial, so complimentary, that he decided to accept; upon which both he and the party are to be congratulated.

"He will bring to the office of State Senator the enthusiasm of youth and the method of a trained student. The county may expect from him the like care in relation to legislative matters that he has bestowed upon his own successful private busi- ness and upon the affairs of the Albany Board of Health. This was the first City Board of Health to organize under the new law. Mr. Thacher is Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board, and he also compiled the rules and regulations. It was characteristic of him, before doing this, to collect from the principal cities in the Union copies of their rules and regulations on this subject; to con them carefully; to collate, to arrange, to adopt, to originate; and finally to report a set of rules and regulations, that, so far as Albany is concerned, could not be bettered. He will bring the same thoroughness to all public affairs intrusted to him. In him the New Capitol will find a firm friend, and an advocate of pushing the work to speedy and economical completion. In all the reforms insti- tuted by Governor Cleveland, the Senator from the Seventeenth will be active and earnest. By instinct and by education, Mr. Thacher is Liberal in senti- ment and Democratic in principle. On all the great questions of the day it is safe to assume that he will be found voting and acting with his party, and for the best interests of the district and of the State. He is a man of ideas; he knows how to pre- sent them. He will be a valuable man in commit- tee, and on the floor of the Senate he can say all that is necessary, and in a manner convincing and effective. His reputation is without a stain. He is not only a man who cannot be bought, but he is a man whom no lobbyist would ever think of at- tempting to buy. He will represent Albany County thoroughly and well. Let us make his majority as large as possible."

Senator Thacher, as the resident Senator, took charge of the appropriation bill for carrying on work upon the New Capitol, and, after great oppo- sition, successfully carried through a bill appropri- ating $1,000, 000 for this purpose for the year 1884. He took pronounced grounds against the prison contract system, and made the first speech against it in the Senate February 6, 1884; a speech which appeared in full in the Albany Argus of February 7th, and was widely and favorably commented upon by true friends of the American workingman of all shades of political belief. He was instru- mental in also passing a bill in the Senate appro- priating money for clothing the National Guard of the State of New York. The bill had passed in the Assembly, but a majority of the Senators were opposed to it. Senator Thacher ably demonstrated the necessity of properly uniforming the only mili- tary organization upon which the citizens were dependent, and succeeded in inducing a sufficient number of Senators of both parties to vote for the bill, so that, during the last hours of the session, it was passed and became a law. Every measure which he thought likely to better the condition of the laboring man was ardently advocated by him. Perhaps the measure which he most persistently urged was an item in the appropriation bill to con- tinue the State Trigonometrical Survey. This he contended for with vehemence, but after he had carried it through the Senate the item was stricken out by the Governor. This measure is of such a character as to attract the support of every intelli- gent citizen. It was because of the slow manner in which the work was carried on, it being restricted to a merely Trigonometrical Survey, and only $15,- 000 yearly being appropriated to it, that the Gov- ernor vetoed it, and not because he did not recognize, as Senator Thacher had done, the importance of the measure. Senator Thacher proposes to introduce a bill providing for supple- menting the survey with one of a topographical and hydrographical character. The great State of New York is to-day absolutely without an even approximately correct map of its surface, an al- most shameful deficiency which Senator Thacher is determined to do all within his power to remedy.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 131

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452