USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 12
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Charles Deutermann, who succeeded to the business, was born February . 21, 1856, in New York city, and when he was fourteen years old he com- menced running an ice wagon for his father. He gradually worked into the business and is making a great success of the enterprise which was founded by his father. St. Mary's lake is a body of remarkably pure water, forty- seven acres in extent. Spring lake is also fed by splendid springs, and in order to prevent freshets, which would contaminate the water and make it · undesirable for ice, Mr. Deutermann had a canal constructed at large expense. It is ten feet deep and from thirty-two to forty feet wide, and is supplied with gates or locks to keep the water back. When the stream is frozen over, pure water is turned into the lake. The ice-house has a capacity of eight thousand tons, and during the ice-harvesting season one hundred and forty men are employed at cutting and storing the cooling product. Even in
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summer about twenty-five men are employed to deliver ice and attend to the business.
Mr. Deutermann inherited, doubtless, many of the excellent business traits of his father. He is a Democrat in his political faith and has served as a trustee of this township. He was married June 2, 1897, to Miss Louisa Doll, of White Plains, and they have one son, Charles, named in honor of his father and grandfather.
JOHN W. BOOTHBY.
One of New Rochelle's most prominent and distinguished citizens is John W. Boothby, the senior member of the well known law firm of Warren, Boothby & Warren, with office at No. 31 Nassau street, New York city, and he holds and merits a place among the representative legal practiitoners of the state. He is a man who thoroughly loves his profession, and is eminently gifted with the capabilities of mind which are indispensable at the bar. In preparing a case for trial every fact, however insignificant, is carefully studied , and its possible relevancy to the merits of the case weighed and considered. He is thoroughly familiar with authority, and never at a loss for a precedent. He is broad-minded, free from the fault of laying too much stress on techni- cal points, and deservedly enjoys a large practice.
Mr. Boothby is a native of England, born in the village of Rawdon, Yorkshire, July 21, 1848, and is the son of John and Eliza E. (Eastward) Boothby. The birth of the father occurred in Kirton, England, where he grew to manhood, and afterward he became prominently connected with the mercantile business in Boston, Leeds and other cities. In 1850, accompanied by his family, he came to America and located in Pittsfield, the county seat of Pike county, Illinois, where he purchased a large tract of land and con- ducted an extensive plantation for several years. At the same time he was also president of a reliable insurance company. He died in 1879, and his wife, who survives him, is still living on the old homestead in the vicinity of Pittsfield, Illinois, hale, hearty and in the full possession of all her faculties. Her father was Robert Eastward, who belonged to a prominent English Quaker family, and the paternal grandfather of our subject was John Booth- by, of Kirton, Lincolnshire, England.
Reared in Pittsfield, Illinois, John W. Boothby prepared for college in the high school at that place, and in 1869 entered Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York, from which he graduated in 1873. He then went abroad, making an extended tour through European countries, and visiting many places of interest. Returning home, he entered the Columbia College Law School, of New York city, in 1875, and was graduated from that institution
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two years later. Immediately upon his graduation he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Poughkeepsie, New York, and entered the office of the Hon. Martin J. Keogh. In January, 1879, he formed a part- nership with that gentleman, and under the firm name of Keogh & Boothby engaged in practice at Fort Chester, New York, and later in New York city. A year later he formed a partnership with the Hon. John J. Adams, the firm being known as Adams & Boothby. Subsequently he became connected with Hon. Henry A. Gildersleeve, now one of the judges of the supreme court in New York city, but this partnership was dissolved on Mr. Gilder- sleeve's election to the bench. The firm is now Warren, Boothby & Warren, and has a large clientele amongst the representative firms, corporations and business men of the city.
On the 3d of June, 1884, Mr. Boothby married Miss Lilla McDougall, daughter of Hon. James A. McDougall, late United States senator from Cali- fornia. Their elegant home, with its attractive surroundings, is situated on Sound View avenue, New Rochelle. Mr. and Mrs. Boothby are members of Trinity church, in New Rochelle, of which he is a vestryman, and they have a large circle of friends in that village. Politically Mr. Boothby is a sup- porter of the Republican party.
FRANK G. SCHIRMER.
This gentleman, a well known resident of Westchester county, is now serving as county supervisor for White Plains township, and has long been an important factor in the official life of this locality. A native of Germany, he was born on the 18th of October, 1848, and is a son of Joseph M. and Gertrude (Lorentz) Schirmer. When he was but a year old his parents left the Fatherland and crossed the Atlantic to the New World, locating in New York city. There our subject spent his early boyhood and in the public schools acquired his preliminary education. At the age of twelve he accom- panied the family on their removal to White Plains, where he resumed his studies. On putting aside his text-books to enter upon a business career he secured a position as clerk in the law office of the late Warren Tompkins, and later with Lewis C. Platt and Hiram Paulding, with whom he remained for several years.
However, he decided not to apply for admission to the bar, but turned his attention to merchandising, which claimed his attention for a consider- able period. He is probably best known in connection with his official serv- ice. He has always been an unfaltering advocate of Democratic principles, and since an early age has taken an active part in local political affairs. In 1864, when a youth of sixteen, he was appointed page for the county board
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of supervisors. When a young man he exerted great influence among the young men of his acquaintance, and his power in that direction has never diminished, so that he has been enabled to do not a little for his party. For many years he has been a delegate to county, district and state conventions, and his opinions carry weight in the councils of his party. For three years he served as collector of taxes in White Plains, and was coroner of the county for a term of six years. In 1889 he was elected sheriff of West- chester county, in which capacity he served for three years, without fear or favor. For more than six years he has been county supervisor from White Plains township, and labors most earnestly and effectively in promoting the general welfare. His many years of service in public offices well indicate his promptness and reliability in the discharge of his duties. Over his polit- ical record there falls no shadow of wrong, and he commands the confi- dence and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
GEORGE T. GRAY.
Mr. Gray is one of the leading and representative citizens of Harrison township, Westchester county, and was born January 21, 1844, on the farm where he still makes his home. He belongs to an old and distinguished family, which traces its descent back to the time of William the Conqueror. The name was originally spelled De Gray by the family in France, but the branch that accompanied that famous warrior to England subsequently changed the name to Gray. They made their home in Lincolnshire, and possessed a coat of arms. Our subject is a lineal descent of Edward Gray, who came to this country about 1635. After the death of his first wife, Lydia Gray, he married Hannah Ellis.
Captain Thomas Gray, our subject's grandfather, was a famous sea captain, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the age of eleven years ran away from home, going as cabin boy on a vessel. On attaining his majority he was given command of a ship, and during his seafaring life three times sailed around the globe. During the French and English war his ves- sel was scuttled by the French in mid-ocean, but he managed to make his escape. He married Miss Mary Wiswell, daughter of David and Rachel (Close) Wiswell. He died in New York city, in middle life, and she passed away a few years later, at the old homestead in Harrison township, West- chester county.
Daniel Gray, the father of our subject, was born in New York city, in 1814, and when eight years old came with the family to this county, locating on the farm where he has since made his home, being now eighty-four years of age. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and has met with fair
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George I Gray
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success in his undertakings. He married Miss Sarah Field, of Harrison township, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Horton) Field, both repre- sentatives of old families of this county. Eight children were born of this union, namely: Moses, a resident of White Plains; John D., of Golden Bridge, this county; William, of Brooklyn, New York; Charles F., of New York city; George T., our subject; Mary F., wife of J. R. Bates; Elizabeth T., widow of Charles M. Carpenter; and Sarah, wife of Samuel Barnes, of Mount Kisco, this county. The mother was called to her final rest in 1895, at the age of seventy-nine years. In political sentiment the father is a stal- wart Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for General Jackson. He has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and for some years most acceptably served as supervisor of Harrison township. He and his family attend the Friends' church, and socially are quite prominent in the community where they have so long made their home.
During his boyhood and youth George T. Gray pursued his studies in the schools of White Plains, and obtained a good practical education. In early life he engaged in clerking in a grocery store for some years, and held a similar position with H. B. Claflin, of New York city, for some time, after which he was interested in the clothing business at Charleston, South Caro- lina, for three years. Like his father, he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and in the spring of 1896 was elected supervisor of Harrison town- ship, and so creditably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1898, and again in 1899, so that he is the present incumbent. His present term will expire in March, 1901, and he was elected by the unanimons vote of both parties, being the candidate on each ticket .. He has also served as assessor for three years, and his official duties have always been most faith- fully and satisfactorily performed, winning the commendation of even his political antagonists.
THOMAS S. DRAKE.
Prominent among the successful business men of Westchester county is the subject of this sketch, whose home is in New Rochelle. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his connection with business enterprises and industries has been of decided advantage to the sections of the country in which they have been carried on.
Mr. Drake was born in New Rochelle, upon a farm, May 30, 1835, a son of Daniel and Susannah (Soulice) Drake. His maternal grandfather was Joshua Soulice. The father, who was a quite prominent farmer and held several minor positions in his township, was born in East Chester, April 14, 1786, and was a son of Benjamin and Mary (Parcot) Drake. The Drake
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family was one of the first founded in the New World, and from the History of Westchester County we copy the following in regard to its early history:
"John Drake, of the council of Plymouth, one of the original company established by King James in 1606, for settling New England, was a branch of the family of Drake of Ashe, several of whose sons came to this country. John came to Boston in 1630, with two or more sons, and finally settled in Windsor. Samuel Drake, son of John, last mentioned, removed to Fairfield about 1650, and thence to East Chester in 1663. He married Anne -
and left Joseph, of East Chester; Samuel, heir to his father's lands at Fair- field; John, of East Chester; Sarah; and Mary, who married Joseph Joannes. Joseph Drake, the eldest, married Mary Shute and had issue: (I) John set- tled at Peekskill Hollow. (II) Samuel, of Fox Meadow, Scarsdale, died in 1774, aged seventy-five. His children were Gilbert, who died in 1803, aged ninety; Samuel, M. D., late of Troy, New York, who died in 1793, aged sixty-three; Uriah; Sarah, who married Job Sherwood. Of this family, Samuel left the following children: Joshua, who died in 1790; Jasper, who died in 1829; Elijah, who died aged seventy-four; Francis, who died in 1814; Sarah, who married John Mandeville; Ann, who died unmarried; Mary, who married Joseph Lockwood and died in 1820; Rebecca, who married G. Mille- grew; and Samuel, M. D. (III) Benjamin, of East Chester, left Benjamin, who married first Susan Pell, second Martha Seaman, third Phoebe -, fourth Charity Archer. The children of Benjamin, Jr., were (1) Thomas, who married Susannah Morgan, and left Charles, M. D., of New York, a distin- guished physician, who was born in 1789 and died in April, 1832; and Sarah, who married Jonathan Coddington; Susan, and Anne, who married John Seaman. (2) Benjamin, who was born February 21, 1763, and died June 17, 1822, married Mary Parcot, who died in 1820. (They were the grandparents of our subject.) Their children were as follows: Daniel, of New Rochelle, who was born April 14, 1786, and married first Abigal Morgan and, second, Susannah Soulice; Susannah, who was born January 8, 1788, and married Isaac Bonnet; and Nancy, who married Absolom Bonnet. (3) James married Sarah Dodge and left James; Susan, who married Joseph Drake; Sarah, who married Richard Lawrence; and Mary, who married Rev. - Lismekeese. (4) John, born in 1772, married Magdalene Guion, born in 1774, and their children were Joseph, born in 1796; Susan; Elias Guion, born December 7, 1799; Benjamin, born in 1801; John Erskine, born September 18, 1802; Jacob, born in 1813; Caroline, born July 24, 1807, married John R. Townsend; Angeline E., wife of Samuel J. Shidmore, and Martha Mag- dalene, born October 18, 1778. (5) Jacob married first Mary Williams, by whom he had one son, Jonas W., who was born in 1799, and mar- ried Mary Betts. For his second wife Jacob married Susan Ackerly and
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left William Henry, Mary Anne, and other children. (6) Moses, born in 1776, married Susan Morgan. (7) Samuel, born in 1778, married a Miss Morgan, and died aged twenty-two years. (8) Mary, the oldest daughter of Benjamin Drake, Jr., married Henry Vervalen. (9) Phœbe married Thomas Lovell. (10) Amy died unmarried, and (II) Martha, died at the age of ten years. Colonel Joseph Drake, of New Rochelle, the second son of Benjamin, Sr., was born July 12, 1737, O. S., and died September 11, 1836, aged ninety- nine. He married first Phœbe Hunt, second Lydia Miller, and left one son, Joseph, who was born December 2, 1766, and died July 16, 1794. Moses Drake, of Dutchess county, New York, the third son of Benjamin, Sr., died during the early part of the Revolutionary war, leaving three sons, Jonathan, Richard and Stephen. Of these, Jonathan had one son, Joseph Rodman Drake, the poet, born in 1795, died in September, 1820, married Sarah Eck- ford, and their only child married Colonel George Dekay, of Long Island. Jonathan had also three daughters. Abigail was the oldest daughter of Ben- jamin, Sr., and was followed by Mary, wife of Caleb Ward; Sarah, wife of Mr. Hunt; and Rebecca, wife of Caleb Morgan. (IV) Jasper, son of Joseph and brother of Benjamin, Sr., lived in New York, and had a son Francis, who died at sea, and several daughters. (V) Rebecca, (VI) Sarah and (VII) Anna, wife of Mr. Fowler, were the daughters of Joseph Drake. The family arms, arg., wivern, with wings displayed gu. Crests, first, an eagle displayed; second, a naked dexter arm and hand erect, holding a battle axe sa. headed arg."
Returning to the personal history of Thomas S. Drake, we find that he was reared on the home farm, that belonged to his (Parcot) ancestors since the early settlement of New Rochelle, and his education was begun and completed in private schools at Yonkers and New Rochelle, New York. He remained upon the farm where he was born until 1868, when he went to live with his maternal uncle (John Soulice) on a farm which had been owned by that family since the early settlement of New Rochelle. There he remained until 1876, and he now owns the farm.
In 1860 he built and conducted a pickel factory in New Rochelle, which he continued until 1884. He was also connected with the pickel works, of Alart & McGuire, as partner and owner, from 1880 for several years with main office in New York city. This firm has now several salting houses and factories established in different parts of the country. At the same time he was connected with local affairs in the village of New Rochelle, New York, being a member and secretary of the sewer commission for a number of years, and rendering most valuable service. He is now largely interested in Florida lands and spends his winters in that state. He is president of the Sebastian River Land Improvement Company, of Florida, which owns a tract of twelve
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thousand acres of land, being a part of the Fleming grant of twenty thousand acres, upon which he has a fine orange and pineapple grove. Upon these lands are lovely lakes and lagoons, which abound in fish, while the forests abound in game of all kinds, making it a delight to the sportsman. At his pleasant cottage in Florida, Mr. Drake entertains his friends most royally. He is a man of broad general information, has traveled extensively, not only through the United States, but also in foreign countries, and is a very inter- esting talker. He is a stanch and loyal friend, fond of good fellowship, and devoted to those who have his confidence.
RICHARD CORNELL.
Among the representative citizens and sterling old farmers of Westches- ter county none take precedence of the subject of this memoir. The Cornells were pioneers in New Rochelle township, and the father of Richard Cornell, as well as himself, was born in the fine old residence which the latter now owns and occupies. Grandfather Stephen Cornell, whose birth probably took place on Long Island, settled on this spot in 1775, purchased four hundred acres of land on what is called Quaker Ridge, and proceeded to develop and improve the property. Part of the old estate has always been retained in the posses- sion of the family, and much of the original tract is now owned by the sub- ject of this article. Stephen Cornell died in middle life, but not ere he had made a good reputation for sterling qualities of mind and heart, which qual- ities found daily expression in his noble and upright life. He was an adher- ent of the faith of the Society of Friends, and was, indeed, a friend to the poor and needy, considering all men as his brothers, and earnestly desiring to "lend a helping hand" to those who were less fortunately circumstanced than himself. The Cornells came to the United States very early in the period of the colonial government and were leading members of the Society of Friends for generations.
Samuel S. Cornell, father of Richard, was born in the old family mansion on the old Quaker Ridge farm, about 1800. He spent his whole life on this place, his energies being devoted to agriculture. He inherited the estate from his father and was successfully occupied in the management of the same up to the time of his death, when he was in his seventy-first year. He was an orthodox Friend in religious faith, and politically was a Republican, though he was not active in politics, merely doing his duty as a voter. He married Hannah Carpenter, a native of Scarsdale township, this county, and five chil- dren graced their union, namely: Rebecca Jane, deceased; Richard; Eliza- beth, wife of Peter Ward, of New York city; Stephen S., a resident of Brook- lyn, New York, and Henry G., whose home is in Rye, Westchester county.
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The mother of these children lived to be seventy-six years old. She was a daughter of Jonathan Carpenter, a leading member of the Society of Friends.
Richard Cornell was born October 31, 1822, and is well preserved for a man of his years, enjoying life as fully as he did a quarter of a century ago. His boyhood days were spent here, and he early acquired practical knowl- edge of the details of agriculture and general business. His education was obtained in the common schools of this neighborhood and in the Quaker school at Washington Hollow, Dutchess county, New York. He continued to live under the parental roof until he was thirty-seven years of age, when, on the 8th of August, 1850, he married Phoebe S. Mott, a native of New York city. He built a small house, adjoining the old homestead, and made his home there until seventeen years ago, when he purchased the property which had belonged to his father and grandfather before him. He has lived here since and has made various substantial improvements, adding greatly to the beauty and desirability of the place. His loved wife died January 13, 1897. For years she had been a faithful worker in the Methodist church and Sunday-school, and none knew her but to love her. Of the three sons and one daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Cornell, Franklin J., born May 22, 1852, died October 31, 1868; Stephen S., born February 25, 1856, has resided on the old homestead of late years; Walter H., born January 17, 1858, has charge of the large house and gardens of Mr. Constable at Orienta; and Caroline S., born January 18, 1861, is deceased. Stephen S. went to Brook- lyn when he was about fourteen years of age and worked for his grandfather in a grocery for some eight years, then returning to the farm, where he has since resided. He was married October 1, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah W. Disbrow, of Upper New Rochelle, and they have three chil- dren, namely: Ella W., born September 17, 1882; Louise D., born July 14, 1884; and Howard W., born July 31, 1891. They are members of the Methodist church. Walter H., the other surviving son of our subject, mar- ried Miss Mary Carpenter, June 25, 1891, and their only child is Richard Franklin, born October 31, 1893.
The Cornell place is one of the finest old homesteads in the county and the Cornells for many generations have been born and reared on the place. The original farm comprised one hundred and two acres, but a part of the land has been sold to persons wishing to build fine homes in the country.
HERBERT B. FELLOWS.
A well known and popular citizen of Scarsdale is Herbert B. Fellows, who is now acceptably serving as postmaster and also as ticket and freight agent and agent for the American Express Company. He was born in 7
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Clifton Park, Saratoga county, New York, November 20, 1861, his parents being John and Sarah C. (Best) Fellows. His father, a native of the Empire state, was long known as a prosperous farmer of Saratoga county. In that locality the mother of our subject was born, a daughter of Abraham Best.
In the place of his nativity Herbert B. Fellows passed the days of his boyhood and youth, enjoying the sports common to childhood and pursuing his elementary education in the public schools. Later he went to Columbia county, New York, where he entered the Clarcrack Academy, in which he was a student for some time. He also took a course in Eastman's Business College. On laying aside his text-books to enter upon his business career, he sought and obtained employment with the Boston & Allen Railroad Com- pany, being stationed at Richmond, Massachusetts, where he remained for ten years, -a most trusted and faithful representative of the corporation. Resigning that position in 1894, he then entered the service of the New York Central Railroad Company, on the Harlem division, and was stationed at Scarsdale, where he assumed the duties of ticket and freight agent, tele- graph operator and agent for the American Express Company. In November of the same year he was appointed postmaster and has since held the office, his administration of its affairs being capable and reliable. As the repre- sentative of the railroad, the express company and the government, he is very popular, for his affable manner and never failing courtesy have won him the regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
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