USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 24
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JEREMIAH ALOYSIUS MCCUE.
A representative young business man and citizen of Yonkers is J. A. McCue, now serving as a member of the city board of aldermen, representing the second ward. He has always been active in the Democratic party, but
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has never before occupied an official public position. Though this ward has had a Republican majority of some two hundred votes, and the late incumb- ent, Captain E. A. Houston, was considered a most formidable .opponent, Mr. McCue's friends carried the day for him, by a majority of thirty-four votes, when six hundred and fifty ballots were cast in the ward. In 1894- 95 he was chairman of the Democratic general committee of Yonkers and has been sent as a delegate to numerous local and state conventions and nominating assemblies of his party. He is very popular and is looked upon as a rising star in the local political world.
Born in Yonkers, January 12, 1860, our subject is a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (O'Connor) McCue. The father, who died in April, 1885, aged fifty-three years, was for fifteen years a stationary engineer in the employ of Otis Brothers, of this city, and subsequently held a similar position for the Maltine Manufacturing Company until shortly before his death. The wife and mother departed this life in June, 1881, when she was in her fifty-second year. They had three sons and two daughters, of whom Margaret, for several years engaged in the millinery business, is now retired; Elizabeth is the wife of P. J. Flannery, a leading contractor and builder of Yonkers; Joseph, who was educated in St. Mary's College, in Baltimore, and is now a priest of the Roman Catholic church in San Francisco, California; Jeremiah A., the next of the family; and Francis J., a mason by trade and foreman for P. J. Flannery.
The early education of J. A. McCue was gained in St. Mary's parochial school in this city, and when he was sixteen he became a clerk in the hard- ware store of John Fagan & Company, of Yonkers. He rose from one position to another during the eleven years that he continued with the firm and for the last five years was bookkeeper and general manager of the estab- lishment. In 1887 he opened a hardware store on his own account, at No. 46 Riverdale avenue. He occupied two floors, twenty-five by seventy-two feet in dimensions, and succeeded in building up a large and paying trade. He carried a finely selected stock, and catered to a representative class of patrons. In 1890 he disposed of the business by sale and has since trans- acted more or less business on commission for several New York firms. Soon after selling out his hardware business he invested in the St. James Hotel, in this place, and conducted the same with success until May, 1898, when he sold the hotel equipment and good will. He also owns other valuable prop- erty in Yonkers, as do several members of his family, they having been identi- fied with the real-estate interests of Yonkers for many years past. Relig- iously, Mr. McCue is a communicant in St. Mary's Roman Catholic church.
April 20, 1882, the marriage of J. A. McCue and Miss Margaret Cogan, a daughter of John and Bridget (Ryan) Cogan, was solemnized. Ten chil-
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dren blessed their union and all but three of the number survive, and are named as follows: Elizabeth, William, Gertrude, Agnes, Margaret, Rose Mary and Veronica. Mr. McCue is a devoted husband and father and finds his chief pleasure in the domestic circle. He enjoys the sincere friendship of a multitude of acquaintances who have known him a life-time, and his genial, courteous, whole-souled manners readily win new friends.
CAPTAIN DAVID P. FERRIS.
The president of the Port Chester Transportation Company is one of the oldest and most honored citizens of Port Chester, New York. Through- out his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness his duties have been performed with the greatest care, and business interests have been so man- aged as to win him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort.
The Captain was born June 12, 1820, in Greenwich township. Fairfield county, Connecticut, and is a representative of one of its most highly respected pioneer families. His father, George Ferris, was a native of the same place, and there he passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He was a Universalist in religious belief and a Republican in political sentiment. The grandfather, Nathaniel Ferris, also spent his entire life as a farmer in Greenwich township, Fairfield county, Connecticut, dying there at the age of seventy years.
The first eighteen years of his life Captain Ferris spent upon the home farm, and then purchased an old sloop, which he used in the freighting and traffic business for seven or eight years. He next owned a packet boat, which he ran between Mianus, Connecticut, and New York city, making weekly trips for fifteen or sixteen years, when he sold her and again engaged in the transient freighting business on North and East rivers. In 1858, in partnership with Nelson Steedwell, he purchased the sloop packet line at Port Chester, New York, known as the Peck line, running to New York city. Having run a sloop till it became necessary to build steamers, they built the steamer Port Chester, and later the Glenville, and also organized the Port Chester Transportation Company, of which Captain Ferris was elected presi- dent, in which position he has served ever since, while Nelson Steedwell was vice-president from its organization, in 1878, until his death, eleven years ago. Edwin Steedwell was secretary of the company and captain of the steamer until the death of Nelson Steedwell, since which time he has been superintendent and manager. The Glenville makes three trips to New York city weekly, and the business of the company is now in a prosperous con- dition.
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Captain Ferris was united in marriage with Miss Frances J. Shelton, of Greenwich, Connecticut, who died in April, 1890. The Captain's political sympathies are with the Republican party, but he has never exercised his right of franchise. Although seventy-eight years of age, he is still quite active, being able to attend to his business every day, and the success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, good busi- ness ability and sound judgment. His friends are many, and he has the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
COLONEL JAMES W. BEDELL.
Colonel James Wright Bedell, who has attained distinctive prefermient in military lines, and is one of the enterprising and representative citizens of Somers township, belongs to an old and highly respected family of West- chester county. His great-grandfather, Ephraim Bedell, who was born Feb- ruary 24, 1727, came from Hempstead, Long Island, about 1750 to settle at Mohensic Lake, in Yorktown, Westchester county, making the journey on foot. Here he secured a farm of about three hundred acres from the Van Courtlandt tract. Although he started out in life in limited circumstances he became quite well-to-do, and his children were also quite prosperous. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. He was a son of Stephen and Ruth Bedell, of Hempstead, Long Island, who were of English descent, and who reared a family of eight children, namely: William, John, Reuben, Ephraim, Daniel, Mrs. Abigail Swarthout, Mrs. Elizabeth Burtus and Mrs. Ruth Rushmer. Ephraim Bedell was married in 1752 to Miss Philena Frost, who was born in 1732, and they became the parents of eleven children, -Stephen, Sarah, Samuel, Mary, Daniel, David, William, Jacob, Elizabeth, Hannah and Deborah, -all of whom reared families of their own, and seven of whom became residents of Somers township, namely: Daniel; David; Stephen; William; Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Wright; Hannah, wife of Ebenezer Osborn; and Mary, wife of Joseph Horton. Sarah, wife of Isaac Smith, and Deborah, wife of John Conklin, made their home in Yorktown.
David Bedell, the grandfather of our subject, came to Somers township about 1788, in company with his brother William, and purchased a tract of one hundred acres, upon which our subject now resides. At that time it was entirely unimproved and the brothers turned their attention to its develop- ment and cultivation, erecting thereon a double log-house, each family occupying one room. David Bedell was born March 25, 1764, and in early life married Miss Millicent Wright, who was born in Somers township, Feb- ruary 19, 1770, and was a daughter of Daniel Wright, and the only child born of this union was Gilbert Wright Bedell, the father of our subject. The
Jameg. IT- Bedell
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grandfather started in life a poor man, but at his death was in comfortable circumstances. He was a plain, honest farmer, taking little interest in polit- ical affairs, and in religious faith he leaned toward the Friends' church.
Gilbert Wright Bedell, our subject's father, was born March 12, 1799, and died November 4, 1840. He was a graduate of the academy at North Salem, this county, was a good Greek and Latin scholar, and successfully engaged in teaching a district school for a time. Throughout life he followed farming principally, and ever took an active interest in public affairs, serving as justice of the peace in his township. He was also prominently identified with military affairs, and was captain of a large company of national guards, all of whom were six feet or over in height, he himself being six feet, two inches. He married Miss Martha Ann Nelson, a daughter of William and Catherine (Green) Nelson. Her father, who was born May 1, 1776, and died March 2, 1839, was a shrewd business man of this county, and as a farmer amassed forty thousand dollars, which was considered quite a large fortune in those days. His wife, who was born January 21, 1785, died Jan- uary 27, 1861. In their family were four children: Martha Ann, mother of our subject; Sally, wife of Henry Walters; Esther W., wife of Harvey M. Todd; and Henry G. Gilbert W. and Martha A. (Nelson) Bedell had three children: Elizabeth, who was born in 1824 and died at the age of ten years; James Wright, our subject; and William G., who was born in 1832, and died at the age of five years.
James Wright Bedell was born October 8, 1825, on the old homestead where he now resides, and his education was obtained in the North Salem, Peekskill and Bedford academies. When his school life was over he returned to his grandfather's farm. He early became interested in military affairs, and enlisted in the national guards, serving as paymaster on the staff of Brigadier General William W. Schrughan until he was elected supreme judge of this judicial district, being succeeded by General Parmenter, of Newburg. Our subject was then made quartermaster, and served in that capacity until the death of General Parmenter, who was succeeded by Brigadier General James Ryder. Being again promoted, Mr. Bedell served for a time as assistant adjutant general, with commission of lieutenant colonel, and was afterward promoted by brevet to colonel, serving as such as long as James Ryder was in command. Our subject then retired, having been a member of the New York National Guards for nineteen years. He has always been a pronounced Republican in politics and has been called upon to fill the office of supervisor of Somers township. He owns and operates a fine farm of eighty acres, and was a director of the Traders & Drovers' Bank, in which his father and grandfather were stockholders.
On the 14th of August, 1844, Mr. Bedell was united in marriage to Miss
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Euphemie White, who was born March 11, 1817, a daughter of Dr. Ebenezer and Amy (Green) White, of Somers township. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: William N., who was born June 4, 1845, died April 10, 1868. He was a promising young man, having graduated at Columbia College, New York city, at the age of nineteen years, and was admitted to the bar on attaining his majority. Elizabeth, born March 4, 1847, died August 20, 1860. Helen, born April 7, 1849, is the widow of Albert M. White, son of M. M. White, of New York city, and is now a resi- dent of Peekskill. Anna, born February 15, 1851, is the wife of Eugene Miller, of Somers Center. Bartow W., born December 1I, 1852, married Miss Ida Kenyon, of New York city, and devotes his attention to looking after realty in that place. Phoebe C., born August 17, 1854, and Margaret WV., born August 29, 1856, are both at home. Amie Gilberta, born August 31, 1858, is the wife of Alonzo Seymour, of Peekskill. The family hold membership in the Presbyterian church, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
Dr. Ebenezer White, Jr., father of Mrs. Bedell, was born in Yorktown, June 13, 1779, a son of Ebenezer White, Sr., of that place, and was edu- cated by private tutors. He attended medical lectures in New York city, and after his marriage to Amy Green he removed to Somers township, where he purchased a farm and in connection with its operation engaged in practice for over sixty years, being recognized as one of the best physicians of the locality. He was a kind, genial gentleman, who had a large circle of friends, and was a prominent representative of the Republican party, serving as surrogate of the county eight years and as a member of the state legisla- ture for one term. He died March 20, 1865, and his wife, who was born September 22, 1779, passed away January 24, 1861. Their family num- bered ten children, namely: Bartow F., born May 28, 1801, married Anna Augusta Belcher, and for many years was a successful physician of Round Hill, Connecticut, where he died in 1869. Stephen G., born April 7, 1803, engaged in merchandising for a few years at Somers, this county, and died June 3, 1826. Helen Ann, born February 12, 1805, married James Lovett, of Fishkill, and died August 22, 1883. Lewis H., a physician of Fishkill, was born March 17, 1807, married Helena Van Wyck, and died Sep- tember 24, 1886. Ebenezer died in infancy. Oliver, a physician of New York city, was born April 9, 1810, married Catherine Ritter and died November 7, 1879. Phœbe, born June 26, 1812, married Robert Calkoon and died December 1, 1853. John P., born February 11, 1815, married Margaret Ryson and died April 12, 1888. Euphemia, the wife of our sub- ject, is next in order of birth. Samuel, born September 28, 1819, married Emma Jackson and died December 5, 1897.
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F. A. BOLZE.
A well known floristof Pleasantville, and one of the leading represent- atives of the profession in Westchester county, Mr. Bolze was born in 1846, in Hanover, Germany, where his parents, August and Dorothy Bolze, spent their entire lives. There he received a good education in his native tongue, and at the age of fifteen years was apprenticed in the royal gardens of King George, where he worked for five years under the best of instructors in the art of floriculture and landscape gardening. With but two exceptions, these royal gardens contain the finest collections of plants in Europe.
At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Bolze crossed the Atlantic and landed in New York city, where he worked for a time for Isaac Buchanan, a promi- nent florist of Long Island, and was then employed for three years as super- intendent of the gardens and flowers for John D. Rockefeller. At the end of that time he came to Mount Pleasant township, Westchester county, and purchased his present farm and embarked in business on his own account as a florist. Artistic in his tastes, and thoroughly familiar with every branch of his profession, he has met with excellent success, and his flowers and plants cannot be excelled in the state. Though he raises all kinds of flowers, his specialty is violets. He has six large and well equipped greenhouses, eleven by seventy-five feet, and upon the place is also a pleasant residence, where the family make their home.
Mr. Bolze was married at the age of thirty to Miss Anna Tepple, of Astoria, Long Island, and to them have been born five children, namely: Anna T., a successful and prominent teacher; Dora, who is studying music; Elizabeth, who is attending school at White Plains; Minnie P., and Rudolph A. Socially Mr. Bolze affiliates with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and religiously is a member of the Lutheran church. He is a well informed man on the leading questions and issues of the day, and is held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
ALFRED FOX.
Success is methodical and resultant. However much we may indulge in fantastic theorizing as to its elements and causation in any isolated in- stance, yet in the light of sober investigation we will find it to be but a result of the determined application of one's abilities and powers along the rigidly defined line of labor. It is this that has made Alfred Fox a leader in the field of journalism in Yonkers. America owes much of her progress and advancement to a position foremost among the nations of the world to her newspapers, and in no line has the incidental broadening out of the sphere of
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usefulness been more marked than in this same line of journalism. No other agency has done as much toward molding public opinion, and it is public opinion that has produced all advance, all improvement, all reform in the world. Actively associated with this work in Yonkers is the subject of this review, the well known editor of the Yonkers Herald.
Mr. Fox is a young man of great energy and enterprise. A native of England, he was born in Heeley, near Sheffield, June 20, 1868, a son of Joseph and Ann (Woollam) Fox. The father was born in Sheffield, February 24, 1834, and was an only child. He is a representative of an ancient family, for many generations prominent in connection with the history of Yorkshire and his native town. During his youth he attended various private and boarding schools, and acquired an academic education. Turning his attention to journalism, he was for a time editor of papers both in Sheffield and Man- chester, England. Later he turned his attention to the profession of play- wright, and for forty years was engaged in producing plays and in presenting them before the public. He appeared in many plays of his own production in various cities of Great Britain, and later came to the United States, locat- ing in New York, where he wrote a number of plays and also engaged in newspaper work. Among the plays which were brought forth by his ready pen are "Valjean," presented by John Coleman; "Shadra, the Satirist," which was played by Charles Dillon and afterward by Mr. Fox as the star, and a play which he wrote for Lilian Olcott. He also collaborated in several plays with George Fawcett Rowe. Since 1895 Mr. Fox has resided in Yonkers, and is now city editor of the Yonkers Herald. He has superior ability as a public speaker, and his oratorical power has made his campaign addresses very effective. He has always been a stalwart Democrat and engaged in active campaign work on behalf of Grover Cleveland. He mar- ried Miss Ann Woollam, a native of England, and a daughter of a prominent physician and surgeon of Lancashire. To them have been born six children: Frances Mary, John Henry, George, Marian, Alfred and Rose.
Alfred Fox, whose name introduces this review, pursued a private course of study in Sheffield and then went to Manchester, England, where he took up a mechanical course. At the age of sixteen he put aside his text-books and traveled throughout his native land, visiting the various important cities and places of interest. In 1884 he crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in New York city, where he entered the employ of R. G. Dun & Company. He became connected with the Home Journal and News, of Yonkers, in 1893, and in 1894 accepted the position of editor of the Yon- kers Herald, which was established about 1852, and is now under the control of the Yonkers Herald Publishing Company. The office and plant of the company occupies a building in Warburton avenue, which was built by the
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company in 1894. In its political complexion the Herald is Democratic, and during campaigns is most aggressive in its advocacy of the party principles. In form the paper is neat and attractive, and contains four pages of seven columns each. It is issued daily and is devoted to current local news, while in its editorials it supports and encourages those movements and enter- prises which tend to advance the public good, at the same time being equally strong in its opposition to wrong in social and public life. It is an excellent advertising medium, on account of its extensive circulation, and that it holds rank as the leading daily of Yonkers is due to the absolute fairness with which it treats all local matters.
On the 9th of July, 1896, Mr. Fox was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Drummond Wiley, of Morris Heights, New York city. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Honor and the Royal Arcanum, and is a member of the Episcopal church. His many social qualities render him a favorite with many of Yonkers' citizens, and his circle of friends is extensive.
WILLIAM I. HALSTEAD.
A member of the well known firm of Young, Halstead & Company, deal- ers in lumber, coal, flour and feed at Mount Kisco, New York, the subject of this sketch is a man whose genial temperament, sound judgment and well proved integrity have brought him the esteem and friendship of a host of acquaintances far and near.
A native of New York, he was born November 30, 1834, in Newburgh township, Orange county, near the city of Newburgh, and is a son of Stephen Halstead, whose birth occurred at the same place, where he spent his entire life as a farmer, dying there at the age of seventy-six years. For several months he was one of the faithful defenders of the country in the war of 1812, and was quite a prominent member of the Dem- cratic party, taking an active part in local affairs. Jacob Halstead, our sub- ject's paternal grandfather, was likewise a native of Orange county and a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss Jones and died at the age of fifty-eight. Stephen Halstead was twice married, his first wife being Eliza Lockwood, the mother of our subject. She, too, was a native of Orange county, New York, a faithful member of the Methodist church, and departed this life at the age of thirty-eight years. She was the mother of five sons, of whom three are still living.
William I. Halstead was reared on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of the neighborhood. Leaving the parental roof at the age of seventeen years he went to Brooklyn, New York, where he engaged in the feed and grain business with his brother Stephen for about twelve years,
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but in January, 1864, they came to Mount Kisco and rented a cotton factory, where they engaged in tearing up lint for the government, and also in the manufacture of cotton-batting, etc., until the close of the civil war. Our subject was then alone in the feed, grain and coal business until 1891, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Young under the present style of Young, Hal- stead & Company. By fair and honorable dealing they have built up an extensive trade and are meeting with marked success.
Mr. Halstead was united in marriage with Miss Patience A. Warring, of Newburgh, New York, and to them been have born three children, two sons and one daughter, namely: Emma V., now the wife of Walter E. Osborn, who is in partnership with our subject; Charles A., secretary and treasurer of the Phoenix Fire & Appliance Company, New York; and George W., who is hold- ing a good position in the office of Commodore Elbert T. Gerry, of New York.
The Republican party has always found in Mr. Halstead a stanch sup- porter, and he has taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have elected him to a number of official positions of trust and responsibility, and he has most acceptably served as president of the village for two terms, trustee several terms, justice of the peace several terms, and a member of the board of edu- cation for the past two years. Socially he is a member of Kisco Lodge, No. 708, F. & A. M., and erected the building in which the first meeting of the lodge was held. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee and steward for many years. As a business man he has met with success, being now the owner of consider- able property in Mount Kisco, and as a citizen he deserves the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
AUGUSTUS T. GILLENDER.
Mr. Gillender is the treasurer of the Knollwood Country Club, and is a prominent lawyer of New York city. He is a native of Hyde Park, Dutchess county, New York, where he was born October 30, 1843, his parents being Theophilus and Jane A. (Schell) Gillender, both natives of this state. His father was for many years a prominent merchant of New York city. His great-grandfather, James Gillender, resided for many years in Westchester county, near the corporate limits of New York city, and took a deep interest in religion, contributing liberally of both his time and money for its advance- ment. His maternal grandfather was William Schell, uncle of Augustus Schell, a prominent resident of New York.
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