USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 15
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Mr. Lent was born in Chautauqua, New York, March 2, 1858, and is the son of Rev. I. H. Lent, a Methodist divine, who devoted fifty-two years to the service of his church and is still active in the cause of religion, resid- ing now at Milton on the Hudson. The father of the latter, Isaac Lent, was born in the city of New York, descending from Holland Dutch stock; and the father of the last mentioned, also named Isaac, emigrated from Holland in 1684, and was the first American ancestor of the family. Mr. Lent's mother, whose name before marriage was Elizabeth Osborn, was born in Hempstead, Long Island. Her father, Oakly Osborn, was a native of England. Both the parents of Mr. Lent are still living. They had three sons and one daughter, namely: Fletcher H., who resides at Katonah, New York; Edward J., who resides in Massachusetts; Alice A., who became the wife of Allen Sheldon, of Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, and lost her husband by death in the spring of 1898.
The subject of this sketch, the youngest of the four children above mem- tioned, was educated at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute; spent some time
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upon a farm, and then began teaching school, which profession he continued to follow for nineteen years. His first school was at Hartsdale, New York, after which he taught for a number of years at Upper New Rochelle; and during the last two years of his pedagogical life he became connected with the carriage business, and since 1892 has devoted his exclusive attention to it. In 1895 he purchased the building he at present occupies, on Huguenot street, where he keeps a full line of carriages, carts, trucks and light vehicles. He also deals in horses. In January, 1899, he purchased the Port Chester Carriage Company's business at Mount Vernon, New York, and there he opened February 7, 1899, the same being the largest establishment of the kind in Westchester county, and located near the New Haven depot. The building is one hundred by two hundred feet, three stories and basement. Mr. Lent conducts both enterprises-at Mount Vernon and New Rochelle- and this extensive business demands his undivided time and attention.
For his wife Mr. Lent married Miss Lillie McNulty, a daughter of High McNulty, of Scarsdale. She died in 1897, leaving four children-two sons and two daughters, viz .: Charles Fletcher; Alice May, who became the wife of William Reid Leibrecht, the son of a prominent florist; Isaac Halstead Frederich, and Lillie. Charles F. Lent, the elder son, is a graduate of the New York University, class of 1898, and is now filling a position in a promi- nent brokerage office at 46 Wall street, New York city; and Isaac H. F. Lent, the younger son, is associated with his father in business.
SAMUEL FEE.
Ireland has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left their early home to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advance- ment more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Fee, a retired stone mason, who at present is serving as assessor of the village of Tuckahoe, Westchester county, New York.
Born in county Longford, Ireland, in February, 1822, Mr. Fee is a son of William and Elizabeth (McDonell) Fee, also natives of the Emerald Isle. The father was a modest farmer in early life, but later became quite an extensive stone-cutter and builder, following that occupation successfully during the remainder of his active life.
Until sixteen years of age Samuel Fee remained in Ireland, attending the common schools, and when his education was completed he assisted his father in the farm work. It was in 1848 that he emigrated to America, com- ing to the United States by way of Montreal, St. John's and the canal to Troy, New York, then down the Hudson to New York city. There he entered
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the employ of William Joyce, who was superintending the erection of the Catholic cathedral on Fifth avenue, and remained with him twelve years, during which time he acquired an excellent knowledge of fine stone-cutting and ornamental carving in stone. In 1859 he came to Tuckahoe and entered the employ of the firm of Hall & Masterson, owners of marble quar- ries at that place, which are the finest quarries in New York state. Mr. Fee continued his connection with these quarries as operator and superintend- ent from 1859 until 1892, but in the latter year he retired from active busi- ness and is now enjoying a well earned rest.
Mr. Fee married Miss Mary Rollins, of New York, who also was born in county Longford, Ireland, a daughter of James Rollins. They have become the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: William J., a coal operator at Mount Vernon, New York; John Lincoln, who is book- keeper for his brother William; Samuel R., now in New York city; Frances M. and Elizabeth M., both at home.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Fee is a stanch Republican, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have elected him to a number of local offices, as school trustee for three terms or eight years, justice of the peace twelve years, and assessor of the town of East Chester five years. Socially, he is a Freemason, having formerly been a member of Easter Lodge, F. & A. M., of New York city, and is now a charter member of Marble Lodge, F. & A. M., of Tuckahoe; and also belongs to Hiawatha Chapter, R. A. M., of Mount Vernon. He is a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, who takes a lively interest in all matters tending to the public good. He has a fine country home, comprising seven acres of land, and an elegant residence with most attractive surroundings.
JOHN H. ODELL.
The genial and affable postmaster of Ardsley-on-Hudson is John H. Odell, who represents one of the oldest and most respected families of West- chester county, New York. He was born in the town of Greenburg, this county, October 9, 1839, and is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Breese) Odell, and a grandson of James and Betsy Odell, both father and grandfather having been ushered into existence in this township. Daniel Odell was born in 1804, and was married to Eliza Breese, who was born in Albany, in 1816, and was a daughter of John Breese. They had two children, both sons-John H., who. is represented in this sketch, and Peter B., a resident of New Rochelle, this state. The father was a carpenter, many of the dwellings in his village and neighborhood being specimens of his handiwork. He died in 1868, and his wife in 1892, their last resting place being the Sleepy Hollow cemetery,
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at Tarrytown. They were both earnest and devoted members of the Dutch Reformed church of Elmsford.
John H. Odell was reared in the town of Greenburg, where his education was begun in the district school and completed in a private school. He fol- lowed the vocation of a carpenter and builder, learning the trade with his father. He is a skilled workman, and his services are in constant demand. In December, 1897, he was appointed postmaster of the village and took charge of the office at once. In the discharge of his duties he is courteous and patient, giving entire satisfaction to the patrons of the office. In 1863 he was married to Miss Theresa Ducher, of the same town, a daughter of Alexander and Henrietta Ducher, old residents of the county. The follow- ing children have been born to them: Stella, wife of E. M. Doyle, of New- burg; Herbert, a resident of California; Sidney, also living in the west; Louisa ; Henry D., at Ardsley; and Frederick K., of Newburg. Mr. and Mrs. Odell were consistent, earnest workers in the Dutch Reformed church, at Elmsford, · of which Mr. Odell is still a member. Since he has been a resident of Ards- ley he has been an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the work and support of which he contributes liberally both of his time and money. Mrs. Theresa Odell was a helpmeet in every sense of the word, and carried the sunshine of her presence to many a darkened home. She was of cheer- ful, kindly disposition, and not alone her family but the entire community mourned her death, in 1886, when she heard the summons, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Mr. Odell is a Republican, and served as tax collector two years in the village, and one year as treasurer.
ADOLPH HOERR, M. D.
Dr. Adolph Hoerr, of Mamaroneck, is a rising young physician whose talents and disposition insure him success and an enviable reputation. En- gaged in the noblest of callings, and where more sacrifice and works of charity are entailed than in any other vocation in the world, he has launched out for a life of hard work, for both body and mind. Of all this he was well aware before beginning the study of medicine, and accordingly he counted the cost and qualified himself for a life campaign among the sick.
Dr. Hoerr was born June 3, 1869, in Mount Vernon, Westchester county, New York. His father, Theodore Hoerr, was a native of Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America about 1843, when a young man, locating in New York, and was by occupation a draughtsman and machinist. In 1851 he moved to Mount Vernon, where he made his home until his death, at the age of seventy-five years. Politically he was a Democrat, and his
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fellow citizens honored him with the office of school trustee of Mount Vernon for several years, in which position he was faithful to the interests of the public. In his religion he was a member of the Lutheran church. He married Miss Minnie Glasser, also a native of Germany, born near Frank- furt, a member of a titled family, and died when about sixty-three years of age, a sincere and consistent member of the Lutheran church. In the family of Theodore and Minnie Hoerr were nine children, six of whoin are deceased. Otto, the eldest, is a foreman in New York city.
The boyhood days of our subject were passed at Mount Vernon, where he was educated, until 1880; then he attended public school in New York city, and took a three-years course at the University of New York and graduated. Having had experience in the retail drug trade, he next engaged in the wholesale drug business owned and conducted by his uncle, in that city, until 1889, when he was employed in a drug store in Mount Vernon. The next year he began the study of medicine, under the preceptorship of Dr. Archibald T. Banning, and after one year thus engaged he entered the medical department of the University of New York and completed a three- years course, graduating in 1895. He was then appointed physician at the Westchester County Almshouse, at East View, and since the spring of 1897 he has been a practitioner of his chosen profession at Mamaroneck. Having a natural talent for the sciences underlying the healing art, and the ambition to excel, this young physician is winning success and a good reputation.
The Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Mary Louisa Kain, of Mount Vernon. In his politics he is a Republican, but is not active in polit- ical movements. He is a member of the order of Foresters, the Red Men and of the Royal Arcanum.
MOSES W. TAYLOR.
In the past, young men have often been deterred from devoting them- selves to a business life because of the wide-spread impression that such a life yields no opportunity for the display of genius. The time, however, has gone by when, other things being equal, the business man must take a secondary place to the lawyer, the doctor, the minister or the editor. In fact, as a rule, let the business man be equally equipped by education and natural endow- ment, and you will find him to-day in every community exerting a wider influence and yielding a larger power than a man of equal capacity treading other walks of life. The " men of affairs " have come to be in a large degree the men upon whom the country leans. The subject of this sketch is pre- eminently a " man of affairs." He is now a prominent representative of the leading business interests of Neperan, and belongs to that class of American
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Moses W. Taylor
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citizens who while promoting individual prosperity likewise advance the pub- lic good.
Born in Scarsdale, August 9, 1839, Mr. Taylor is connected with an old and well known Westchester county family that favored the independence of the colonies during the war of the Revolution, and his great-grandfather was killed by British soldiers during the great struggle which brought freedom to the American nation. The father, Andrew Taylor, was a farmer by occupa- tion, and a Democrat in his political affiliations. He married Catherine Williams, a daughter of William Williams, and they became the parents of three children: Moses W .; Phoebe, wife of S. Campbell, of White Plains; and Almira C., wife of George Campbell. The mother died at the age of fifty-five years, and the father, surviving her for some time, passed away at the age of seventy-seven.
The public schools of Yonkers, New York, afforded Moses \V. Taylor his educational privileges, and his early training well fitted him for a business careeer. In 1867 he established a pickle manufactory, which he has since successfully conducted, and he is to-day financially regarded as one of the solid business men of the county. He has secured a large trade in the sale of his goods, and furnishes employment to a number of men. He is also a director of the Tarrytown National Bank, which was organized in 1881, and for fifteen years has been a trustee of the Westchester Savings Bank.
Mr. Taylor was married in 1863 to Miss Jane Gibson, a lady of culture and refinement, who was born in New York city, and is a daughter of James and Jane (Brown) Gibson. Nine children have been born of this union, - three sons and six daughters, -as follows: Jennie, now the wife of Stephen L. Purdy, of North Castle, Westchester county; Catherine, wife of Junius T. S. Bard, a resident of Pleasantville, New York; Andrew; James G., who is engaged in the livery business; William, a machinist of Dorchester, Massa- chusetts; Florence and Mabel, both students in Drew Seminary; Helen G .; and Jessie, who died at the age of two years.
In his political affiliations Mr. Taylor is a Democrat, and keeps well informed on the issues of the day and the policy of the party. He has been honored with several offices, the duties of which he has most faithfully per- formed. He has also been supervisor of the town for nineteen years, and is one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens. Every movement or measure calculated to benefit the community in any laudable way receives his support, and his labors for their advancement have been effective. He is now serving as a member of the Westchester Historical Society, and is vice-president of the Westchester County Agricultural Society. For twenty years he has been a member of Solomon Lodge, No. 196, F. & A. M., and also belongs to the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution.
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HON. NATHANIEL HOLMES ODELL.
For two centuries or more the Odell family, worthily represented in this generation by the gentleman whose names introduces this biography, have been prominent in the annals of Westchester county, numbered among its most patriotic, public-spirited citizens. Nor were the Tompkins, his mother's people, any the less noted for sterling traits of character and for the part which they took in the founding and maintaining of the prosperity which this section of the state has long enjoyed.
Jonathan Odell. the great-grandfather of Hon. Nathaniel H. Odell, was a native of the city of New York, and his chief occupation in life was that of a sea captain. He bought the old homestead, in this county, which has been handed down from one generation to another. On this property, in Greenburg township, the birth of our subject's grandfather, Jacob Odell, took place. He always followed an agricultural life, and for his wife chose Harriet Staymus, also of a pioneer family of Westchester county.
Jonathan S. Odell, father of Hon. Nathaniel H. Odell, was born in the town of Greenburg, on the old Odell homestead, November 4, 1793, and lived to an extreme age. his death occurring in 1890. For many years he was a captain on steamboats plying along the Hudson river, marketing the products of the country, from Sing Sing to New York city, this being before the day of railroads. He was held in very high regard by a multitude of friends, his acquaintance being extensive all along the river. In early days he gave his allegiance to the Whig party, but later he joined the Democratic ranks. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Tompkins, was a daughter of Thomas Tompkins, and belonged to a family which is mentioned else- where in this work.
The birth of Nathaniel H. Odell occurred in the town of Greenburg. Westchester county, October 10, 1833, and his school days were spent in the district schools and in Tarrytown Academy, among his teachers being Nathan Dunn and William G. Weston. In 1858 he entered into partner- ship with Amos R. Clark, under the firm name of Odell & Clark, and for six years they dealt in groceries, flour and feed. They both sold out at the end of that time, and Mr. Odell subsequently organized the First National Bank of Tarrytown, but severed his connection with that enterprise some two years afterward. He has been associated with various concerns and has invested in numerous industries and enterprises, and in the majority of his financial ventures has met with success. At present he is the treasurer, and for years has been a director, of the Hudson River Gas and Electric Light Company.
In his early manhood Mr. Odell became prominent in political and pub-
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lic affairs, and the memorable winter of 1860-61, just prior to the outbreak of the civil war, he was a member of the New York state assembly, represent- ing the second congressional district of Westchester county. He was elected on the Democratic ticket and served on the ways and means committee, besides making his influence felt in many departments. In 1867 he was elected treasurer of Westchester county, and served in that responsible office for three full terms of three years each, giving his constituents and political opponents no cause for caviling. In 1875 he was once more honored, this time being called upon to represent the twelfth congressional district of this state in the halls of congress, which he did with distinction. Then, for some time, he served as assistant postmaster of Tarrytown, under Jacob Odell, and later received the appointment to the postmastership. After serving for several years, he was succeeded by the Republican appointee, James Requa, in August, 1898. His friends, at home and abroad, are legion, and his career as a public official and as a private citizen has been above reproach.
REV. EDMUND J. POWER.
The pastor of St. Augustine's Catholic church at Larchmont, New York, Rev. E. J. Power, has for several years ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of his people and given powerful and effective aid to all influences which work for the advancement of the community. Revered and loved by his own flock, he has also won the honor and esteem of all who have seen his devotion to his noble calling.
Father Power was born in Waterford, Ireland, in 1863, and there grew to manhood and received the greater part of his collegiate education, pursu- ing his studies the last three years at Mount Malleroy College, Ireland. In 1880 he came to the United States, and on his arrival in New York city entered the Jesuit College on Sixteenth street, where he prosecuted his stud- ies one year. He then took a two-years theological course at Montreal, Canada, and at the end of that time went to Paris, France, where he com- pleted his studies.
Returning to America, Father Power became assistant to Father Mclaughlin, pastor of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament at New Rochelle, New York, where he rendered valuable service until 1891. It was in that year that he founded St. Augustine's church at Larchmont and erected a good frame church, at a cost of five thousand dollars. During the spring and summer, mass was held in the town hall, but in the fall the church was completed, dedicated and given the name of St. Augustine. Its site was at first low and wet, but the grounds have been filled in and converted into a most beautiful lawn, and ornamented by nice walks and shrubbery, thus securing cheerful as well as attractive surroundings. Father Power also
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built a rectory in 1892, and it is a neat and handsomely finished frame struct- ure, of a rustic design and with well arranged porches, and is decidedly unique. Under his ministry the congregation has increased to two hundred families, but these figures, or indeed any estimate of material progress, give no indi- cation of the great work he has done in molding and shaping to higher issues the lives of those to whom he gives lfis best thought. Broad in his views and sympathies, a friend to the poor and oppressed, ever ready with helpful counsel for the perplexed or sorrowful, Father Powers has a wide field for labor, and well does he discharge its arduous and sacred duties.
FIELDING GOWER.
In 1895 there was incorporated, under the laws of the state of New York, the New York Mutual Building Company, of which Fielding Gower is the president. The offices of this important and flourishing company are in the Radford building, in Yonkers. Mr. Gower, whose home has been in this place for several years, is a well known business man here, and stands as high in local circles of the Democratic party as he does in the financial world.
For at least three generations the family to which our subject belongs has been directly or indirectly interested in the subject of building and im- proving property. His grandfather, John Gower, was a carpenter and builder, first of Suffolk, and later, of Lancashire, England. He died at the age of three-score years, and was survived by his wife, whose age at death was eighty-four. They were the parents of sixteen children. One of this large family, William, was the father of Fielding Gower. In 1881 he came to the United States from Lancashire, where he had been a contractor and builder, and for seven years he worked at his trade as a carpenter, in Provi- dence, Rhode Island. He then took up his residence in Yonkers, and is still living, being now in his sixty-fourth year. He married Sarah Fielden, a daughter of Jonas and Thamer Fielden, of the village of Mythemroyds, York- shire, England. She departed this life in 1886, when fifty years of age. In England he was a liberal in his political views, and since coming to America he has cast his lot with the Democratic party. Religiously, the family are Episcopalians. Of the five children, Thomas, the eldest, is a member of the firm of Gower Brothers, contractors; Allen belongs to the firm of Brewer & Gower, in the same line of business; Fielding is next in order of birth; Josiah died in infancy; and John W.
Born in Lancashire, England, July 30, 1858, Fielding Gower remained on his native isle until he was twenty-two years of age, coming to the United States in 1881. In his boyhood he attended the parish schools at Rochdale
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until he was about fourteen, when he commenced serving a seven-years ap- prenticeship to his father. At twenty-one he with two of his brothers engaged in contracting, and continued together until 1897, when Allen withdrew. Fielding and Thomas Gower are still in business together, as members of the firm of Gower Brothers, and do a large amount of building. In the past they have put up many important public buildings, such as the Wynnstay Hotel, public school No. 9, numerous business blocks, tenements, residences, etc., and have had as many as forty men in their employ, while their busi- ness amounted to as high as fifty thousand dollars per annum. At present the firm has twenty thousand dollars' worth of work in course of construction. Our subject's own handsome residence is located on Park Hill avenue. This part of the city is rapidly building up and is one of the most attractive spots in Yonkers.
In 1893 Mr. Gower was a candidate for the chairmanship of the Demo- cratic county committee; in 1895 was a candidate for city alderman, in a ward which is strongly Republican, and ran far ahead of his ticket. He has frequently served as a delegate to county conventions, and has acted on the executive committee of the local organization, and in many other ways has been an active, zealous worker in the interests of his party. He is a member of the Mechanics' Exchange, belongs to the Association of Exempt Firemen, is one of the veterans of the Hope Hook & Ladder Company, and was one of the committee of the state convention held at Yonkers, in Sep- tember, 1899.
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