USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 20
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WILLIAM A. BOYD,
Postmaster of Mamaroneck, was born in this village November 21, 1851. His father, William Boyd, was a native of this county, was a blacksmith by trade. Mr. Boyd, our subject, was reared and educated in his native village, and also attended grammar school No. 40, in New York city. At the age of seventeen years he became foreman in a livery establishment in the city, and after filling that position for six months he came to Mamaroneck and engaged in the grocery business, in company with his brother, for several years, when he sold out and engaged in the livery business, and this he followed for five or six years: then he sold out his stables.
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He was first appointed postmaster here during President Grant's second term of administration, and held the place continuously until after the expiration of about three years of President Cleveland's first term; next, after about fourteen months, he was again appointed, under President Harrison's administration, and at the end of his term under this appointment, during President Cleveland's second term, he went out of office. March 1, 1898, he was again appointed, by President Mckinley, thus making in all-when his present term is completed-about twenty-five years that he has filled the office of postmaster of Mamaroneck. He has also been justice of the peace here for sixteen years, tax collector one year, captain of the fire patrol seven years, and member of the board of high-school education for two years, when he resigned.
In respect to the fraternal orders we may state that Mr. Boyd has been a member of Sheldrake Council, No. 264, Royal Arcanum, for sixteen years, in which he has held every office; and he has represented the subordinate council in the grand council of the state at two different times.
The foregoing statement of facts supersedes the necessity of extended expressions of eulogium.
Mr. Boyd was united in marriage with Miss Mary Griffin, of Mamaroneck, who died November 25, 1886, leaving two children, -William J. and Charles By his second marriage Mr. Boyd was united in matrimony with Mrs. I. Elizabeth Enthers, of Nurenberg.
ABRAM A. BROWN.
Mr. Brown is the proprietor of the East View House, at East View, Westchester county, New York, and is one of the best known and most pop- ular hotel men of the county. He purchased property here and embarked in his present business in 1893, and during the five years he has carried on operations here he has done much to enhance the hotel business at East View. A frank, genial and whole-souled landlord, he has made his hotel very popular on account of its many conveniences, cleanliness and excep- tional cuisine. In connection with the office there is a writing-room and good bar as well as all the accessories found in a first-class hotel of the pres- ent day.
Mr. Brown is a native of Westchester county, born in Greenburg town- ship, November 28, 1863. His ancestors were among the early settlers of the county, and his father, William Augustus Brown, a mason by trade, who is still living in Greenburg township, at the age of seventy-three years, was born in Mount Pleasant township, a son of Stephen and Nancy Brown, both of whom died in this county. William A. Brown here grew to manhood,
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learned his trade, and married Abigail Van Tassell, also a native of West- chester county and a representative of one of its old families, her father being John Van Tassell. Five children were born to them, of whom two are now deceased: Harriette, who was the wife of D. C. Paulding, of this county, and one who died when young. Those living are Stephen A., who lives on his grandfather's old farm; John A., a horseman and farmer living on the old homestead in Greenburg township; and Abram A., the subject of this review. The father casts his ballot with the Democracy, and both he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The early education which Abram A. Brown acquired in the public schools has been effectively supplemented by a knowledge obtained from ex- perience and observation. In 1893 he married Miss Louise Becker, who was born, reared and educated in New York city, where her parents, William and Julia Becker, both died. Politically Mr. Brown is an ardent Democrat, and while not a politician in the sense of office-seeking he does all in his power for the success of his party. He is broad-minded and liberal in his views, and is popular with a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
KENNEDY BERRY.
No better illustration of the characteristic energy and enterprise of the typical Irish-American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this gentleman, the genial landlord of Berry's Hotel, in Tarrytown. It is one of the principal hotels of the place, and has become headquarters for Democratic politicians, and for township, county and state officials. It is centrally located, near the depot and business houses, has a good bar, and sets an excellent table. This popular hotel has been successfully conducted by Mr. Berry since 1893, and he has displayed good business ability and sound judgment in its management. He thoroughly understands the busi- ness in its various departments, having previously conducted a hotel at Yonkers, New York, for several years.
Mr. Berry was born in Ireland, in 1846, of a good, honest and patriotic family, and he early became well versed in the history of the government and the doctrines of the great political parties. He has been a devout liberal from his youth, and a great admirer of the patriot, Robert Emmet, and also of Parnell. He was reared to habits of industry and honesty, and received his education in the schools of his native land. On coming to America, in 1870, he stopped for a short time in New York city, from there went to Newark, New Jersey, and in 1872 came to Mount Vernon, Westchester county, New York, where he was engaged in business for two years. Subse- quently he conducted a hotel in Yonkers, and from there came to Tarrytown,
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in 1893. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county, and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the local Democratic organization. He is an active and influential supporter of the party, has served as a delegate to its various conventions, and at all times does all in his power to insure its success. He nominated Hon. William J. Grady for the state senate in 1898, and was an active worker for W. P. Platt and other nominees of his party. During his residence in Yonkers he was a member of the fire department, and fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Foresters, and is a leading and active member of both orders. Religiously he is con- nected with the Roman Catholic church.
In 1874 Mr. Berry wedded Miss Mary A. Dwyer, of Brooklyn, and to them have been born seven children, namely: Mathew, Anna, Cecelia, Ger- trude, Raymond, Robert, Emmett and Veronaca.
JOHN FISHER.
The assistant superintendent of the marble quarries at Tuckahoe, Mr. John Fisher, has spent the greater part of his life in this vicinity. He is a native of Queens county, Ireland, born on a farm in 1838, a son of Daniel and Ann (Cranston) Fisher. His parents, also natives of that country, were married there, started in life there on the farm, prospered, and when there were two sons and three daughters in the family they emigrated, in 1852, to this land of greater opportunity, arriving at New York city and coming direct to Tuckahoe, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the mother dying in her fifty-eighth year and the father in his eighty-first. They had altogether three sons and three daughters, and one son and one daughter have deceased. George F., at the time of his decease, was the superintend- ent of the Westchester county poor. Edward and Lizzie, both unmarried, reside on the old homestead in the vicinity of Tuckahoe.
Mr. John Fisher received a good common-school education and remained on the farm until his twentieth year, when he was employed in the Tuckahoe marble quarries, which are now the property of the Norcross brothers, resi- dents of Massachusetts. These quarries have been worked for many years and the material is the finest in the state, and Mr. Fisher has been employed here for the past forty years, either as superintendent or assistant. For one year he was also superintendent of the granite quarries at Keene, New Hampshire, for John M. Masterton, who is now superintendent of the marble quarries at Tuckahoe, while Mr. Fisher is his assistant.
Our subject resides upon his farm near Tuckahoe, where he has a com- fortable home and his farm well-equipped and in good condition. The place comprises thirty acres, which he cultivates by the aid of hired help.
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Mr. Fisher was married in his twenty-fifth year to Miss Alice Wise, of Tuckahoe, a daughter of Allen Wise, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have five sons and three daughters, viz .: John; George; William, who is now the town clerk of the village of Tuckahoe; Edward and Albert, grocers in Tuck- ahoe; Lizzie, Alice and Maggie.
In his political predilections Mr. Fisher is a Democrat; he has been a member of the school board for over twenty years, commissioner of high- ways, and for the past two years he has been president of the board of edu- cation. He is a member of Marble Lodge, No. 702, F. & A. M., of Tuckahoe.
A. B. DAVIS, A. M.
Professor A. B. Davis, principal of the Mount Vernon high school, is classed among the ablest educators connected with the public-school system of the Empire state, and the institution of which he is now in charge is a monument to his enterprising and progressive spirit. Realizing most fully the value and importance of the profession to which he is devoting his ener- gies, he has put forth every effort to make his work produce maximum results in fitting the young people who come under his charge for the practical and responsible duties which life brings to every individual; for in this and not in the mere acquirement of knowledge he sees the true purpose of education.
Born in Cortland county, New York, in 1858, he is descended from sturdy Welsh and English ancestry, among whom were those who laid down their lives on the altar of freedom in the war of the Revolution. Reared under the parental roof he acquired his early education in the public schools near his home, and prior to his sixteenth year had taught two terms in the district school. When sixteen years of age he matriculated in Hamilton Col- lege and now holds the degree of Master of Arts granted him by that institu- tion. He is also a graduate of the Illinois Wesleyan University, where he won the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, and in Cornell and Syracuse Uni- versities he has done considerable post-graduate work. The profession which he follows he has made his life work, and the high reputation which he enjoys in educational circles results from exceptional ability. Only through diligent effort is knowledge acquired, and the man of scholarly attainments is he who perseveringly labors to master the lessons which are set him. Thus it is that when one gains prestige as an educator, it is evident that his high position is well merited.
For several years Professor Davis occupied the chair of mathematics and science in Elmira Free Academy, and was also connected with the evening school of the New York State Reformatory, of Elmira. In 1886 he became principal of the public schools of Salamanca, New York, and during his serv-
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ice there was instrumental in organizing a fine, well equipped high school, which in four years rose from No. 359 to No. 60 on the regent's list of acad- amies in this state. He was next tendered and accepted the superintendency of the city schools of Olean, New York, which position he resigned in 1892, in order to remove to Mount Vernon. For some time he was principal of the West Side school, and during that period inaugurated a movement which resulted in the establishment of the high school, of which every citizen is now proud.
He may well be termed the founder of this institution. He believed that there was an urgent necessity and demand for a high school in Mount Vernon, and his previous wide experience in public and high-school work ably fitted him for the task of establishing one. The idea at first met with strong opposition among a certain class of men who protested against the additional expense, on the ground that the private schools of New York were easily accessible to those who wished to avail themselves thereof, and that those who desired the so-called " luxury" of an education beyond the tradi- tional three R's should pay for it themselves. Inspired by a noble purpose, however, he worked on untiringly and gradually awakened a decided interest in his plan. His excellent work in connection with the West Side school had inspired great confidence in his ability and judgment, and in 1895 the majority of the people manifested their willingness to adopt the measure which he was so ably advocating. The building site, valued at twenty thou- sand dollars, was already city property, and the high-school edifice was erected thereon, at a cost of sixty-five thousand dollars. Persons competent to pass judgment say that it is the finest high-school building in the state, and the people of Mount Vernon may well be proud of this monument to higher education. It is splendidly equipped with apparatus and supplies for doing the best possible work, and there is now an enrollment of three hun- dred students, making it the largest high school in Westchester county. The courses are broad and advanced, and since the establishment of the school, its graduates have been admitted to New York, Cornell, Columbia, Wellesley, Vassar and other colleges. The institution now employs a principal, seven regular teachers, and two special teachers having charge of the drawing and music departments.
The students may pursue one of three courses: a classical course, em- bracing four years' work; a four-years scientific course, preparing for pro- fessional life; and a three-years English course. Although Professor Davis met with great opposition in the advancement of the high-school project, after the school had been in existence for two years every district in the city voted by a three-fourths majority in favor of the appropriation for the present structure above described. Professor Davis organized the school on the self-
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governing plan, making the students feel that they are responsible for the discipline, and that as young men and young women they will soon leave the school-room to take their place in the world of self-governing citizens. This plan has proved most satisfactory, producing excellent results, and the school is making splendid progress. Professor Davis is regarded as among the most progressive and able educators in Mount Vernon and is very popular with pupils and public. He has been offered more lucrative positions elsewhere, but is more deeply interested in the success and development of the Mount Vernon schools than in a larger salary.
A local paper has said of him: " Professor Davis is an enthusiastic and devoted teacher, satisfied only when his pupils are making the best possible use, as shown by method and acquirement, of their time and energies. Keenly alive to their best interests, he is held in the highest esteem not only for his broad, accurate and ready scholarship and skill as an instructor, but for his kindliness of heart and sterling worth of character. By appointment of the department of public instruction he has from time to time served as conductor of teachers' institutes. He was among the first to receive, upon examination, a New York ' state certificate,' a credential which, in the words of the report of the department, is ' the highest testimonial of literary qualifi- cations that can be granted to a teacher ;' and he has on several occasions acted as examiner of candidates for that honor. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and he has contributed numerous scientific articles to various periodicals."
He has also lectured extensively on various scientific topics, including astronomy and electricity, and his addresses are both entertaining and in- structive.
Professor Davis was married in 1878, to Miss Amelia P. Wood, of Owego, New York, and they have three children, namely: Albert S., Faith A., and Agnes L. They have a very pleasant home at No. 129 East Lincoln avenue, Chester Hill, where hospitality reigns supreme. Their friends in the community are many, and by young and old, rich and poor, Professor Davis is held in the highest regard through Mount Vernon.
CHARLES E. TWEEDY.
The enterprising proprietor of a well equipped grocery store at Nos. 2-4 South Division street, Peekskill, New York, Mr. Tweedy is in the true ac- ceptance of the term a self-made man. The perseverance, diligence and ex- ecutive ability shown by him are well worthy of emulation and are being rewarded by the success he so richly deserves.
Mr. Tweedy is a native of Ontario, Canada, born June 12, 1866, and a
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son of James and Mary (Carnochen) Tweedy, of Scotch and Irish descent. The parents were farming people and had a family of eight children, five of whom are yet living, although Charles E., the second in order of birth, is the only representative in the United States. His education was acquired in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen he accepted a position as clerk and telegraph operator in a general store in his native town. He remained there for a year or more and then went to New York city to accept a posi- tion as clerk in a commercial establishment, where his close attention to business and his natural ability soon caused him to be promoted to the position of manager, in which capacity he served for five years, and then began busi- ness on his own account. In January, 1892, in connection with his brother, he purchased a grocery store in Tarrytown, New York, and there began operations under the firm name of Tweedy Brothers. At the end of a year, their success having been of such a nature as to warrant it, a second store was opened in Peekskill, where under the management and personal super- vision of our subject the business increased to such an extent that larger quarters were demanded and he therefore leased the double store in which he is now located. He makes a specialty of teas and coffees, carrying a fine line of these goods and selling for cash only, which enables him to sell a superior grade of goods at a comparatively low cost. He is undoubtedly the leading merchant in his line of goods in Peekskill and one of the most pros- perous young men of the town.
Mr. Tweedy was united in marriage to Miss Julia Mackay, of Tarry- town, on the 6th of June, 1894. They are members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, and contribute liberally to its support. Mr. Tweedy be- longs to Cryptic Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is serving as one of its trustees. He is of generous and kindly disposition and has made a host of friends since coming to Peekskill.
ALBERT G. HEMINWAY.
For some years Albert G. Heminway, now deceased, carried on a suc- cessful business in New York city and made his home in New Rochelle, where his many excellencies of character made him a valued and highly re- spected citizen. He was born in Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, a son of Truman Heminway, of Palmyra, who was a native of England and came from New England to the Empire state. He married Miss Mary Aldrich, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Mrs. Olivia (Farrington) Aldrich.
The subject of this review completed his literary education by his gradu- ation in Hobart College, at Geneva, New York, and on leaving this school went to Palmyra, New York, where he studied law and practiced one year,
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thence removed to Troy, New York, where he practiced law for a time and then went to New York city, and formed a connection with the old firm of Norwood & Company as partner. The firm were members of the old Stock Exchange, and from 1862 until his death Mr. Heminway was a member of the stock exchange and did a successful and extensive business. He was a man of keen sagacity and sound judgment and made money rapidly, his well directed efforts bringing to him handsome financial returns.
On the Ist of October, 1850, Mr. Heminway was united in marriage .to Miss Olivia Pattison, a resident of Fort Miller, on the Hudson, in Washing- ton county, New York. She is the eldest daughter of John and Emma (Gardner) Pattison, and is a lady of marked culture and refinement. By this marriage were born four children, namely: Margaret, wife of Professor Albert Michaelson; Truman; and two who are deceased. Truman Hem- inway is a graduate of Harvard College, also of the Columbia Law School, of New York city, and is now a broker in Wall street. He married Miss Norma Harwood, daughter of Rev. Dr. Harwood, rector of Trinity church, of New Haven, Connecticut, and they have three children, Edward H., Olivia P. and Truman.
Albert G. Heminway, the subject of this memoir, devoted the greater part of his time and attention to his business interests and commanded the respect and confidence of his associates in commercial life. He never sought or desired political preferment, nor cared for distinction in public places. His religious relationship was with the Protestant Episcopal church. For a number of years prior to his death he owned and occupied a fine country seat in New Rochelle, a handsome and commodious residence, standing in the midst of spacious lawns, adorned by the art of the landscape gardener and shaded by magnificent forest trees. Mrs. Heminway still occupies this delightful home, which each summer is brightened by the presence of her grandchildren who spend the vaction months with her.
DAVID CHAMBERS.
There is much of interest in the life history of David Chambers, of Yonk- ers, and we are glad to be enabled to recount some of the salient incidents of his career. Born in Albany, New York, January 9, 1837, he is of Scotch lineage, as his paternal grandfather was a native of Glasgow, and at an early period in this century crossed the ocean, thenceforward to make his home in the United States. He fought in the war of 1812 and lived chiefly in the vicinity of Albany, New York, following the trade of carpenter and builder. He passed to his reward at about four-score and his good wife died at seventy-four years of age. The maternal grandfather of our subject was
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Jeremiah Williams, a sea captain and a resident of Troy, New York. He was in command of sailing vessels engaged in the merchant trade, and from him, doubtless, David Chambers inherited the strong desire to sail around the world and to visit strange lands that filled his youthful soul until he had carried out his dreams.
The parents of our subject were Matthew and Sarah (Williams) Cham- bers. The father was an only son, but had three sisters, namely: Harriet, Elizabeth and Sarah. He learned the trade of ship carpenter, and up to 1849 was employed by the Ladow Ship-building Company at Albany; but that year he and several other men fitted out a vessel with all kinds of pro- visions and general supplies and went with the same to California. Arriving in San Francisco safely, they disposed of the ship and cargo and Mr. Cham- bers went to San Jose, where he was made city marshal, and was also en- gaged in running a hotel and livery. He was killed by the Indians during an attempt to repel an attack they were about to make upon the little city, he having gone out to meet the hostile red-skins with a little posse of picked men. This event occurred in 1852, and he was buried at San Jose. His wife lived to be sixty-eight years of age, and of their four children, Henry died at seven years, and Leonora, Mary and David survive.
When he was twelve years old David Chambers was so deeply affected by the great California gold fever and a desire for travel as to run away from school and home and ship aboard a whaling vessel, the Newburyport, which left Stonington, Connecticut, and sailed around South America and thence north into the Arctic ocean. The ship got caught in the ice at seventy-two degrees north latitude, and they were compelled to pass the winter there, though not properly equipped with provisions, etc. As a result of the salt meat and un- suitable foods they were forced to live upon, the crew contracted the scurvy, and three of the forty-two men died. For ninety days they were in dark- ness, the sun apparently having forever hidden his face from their sight, and the thermometer registered forty or more degrees below zero during this dreary period ! The fierce and awful creaking of the immense ice-fields and the occasional howl of the sea-elephant were the only sounds in that awful and appalling silence of the frozen world, and now and then the wonderfully beautiful aurora borealis added its marvelous and unearthly enchantment to the scene. The survival of the majority of the crew was due to the vigi- lance of the mate, who, as the captain had died, looked after the men, mak- ing them take exercise, and encouraged them. After the welcome sun appeared the ice broke up and the vessel returned to Behring sea, whence she had come, went then to the Sandwich islands, and, having discharged her cargo of whale oil, spent the winter following, 1853-54, in the sea of Okotsk and the Pacific ocean. Then the ship cruised into the Indian ocean and China
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