USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 25
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Augustus T. Gillender was educated in the Peekskill Academy, where he
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studied with such diligence that he was taken into the law office of Peck- man & Tremaine, prominent lawyers of Albany, to read law. He then entered the Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1863. He at once went to New York city and became connected with the office of Reynolds & Van Schaick.
In 1890 he purchased a large tract of land in Westchester county, con- taining seventy-five acres which had been previously devoted to farming. This property is now known as "Knollwood," and under his supervision has become the pride of the surrounding country. Here he established the Knollwood Country Club, improving the place by grading and macadamizing the streets, constructing sewers, laying water mains and erecting a fine club house, which is commodious and modern in all its appointments. It is most picturesquely situated and commands a view of the surrounding country that is unsurpassed. He also laid out golf grounds and was at great expense to make it first-class in all its appointments. It is unsurpassed as a health resort and is accessible to two lines of steam and one of trolley cars. Upon a portion of this land he erected a colonial mansion, in which he and his fam- ily spend the greater portion of the year.
JAMES COUTANT.
One of the representatives of an old Westchester county family is James Coutant, a retired farmer near Bronxville. He was born in the town of East Chester, this county, February 9, 1831, the son of Elijah and Phebe (Archer) Coutant. ' His father also was a native of East Chester, born on the old Coutant homestead in 1802, and his mother, in the same town, in the year 1810. She died February 1, 1865, and he October 31, 1879.
James Coutant, father of Elijah, was born in New Rochelle, near the town site of the village of New Rochelle, and married Jane Gerow, a native of Croton, New York, and a descendant of an old Huguenot family. Benja- min Coutant was the father of the last mentioned. Our subject's grandfather on his mother's side was Hezekiah Archer, one of the first settlers of West- chester county. The Coutants trace their ancestry back to the French Huguenots who came to this country in 1681 and settled in Westchester county.
Elijah and Phebe Coutant were the parents of four children, -one son and three daughters, viz .: James, of this sketch, who is the only male sur- vivor of the family; Mary Ann and Elizabeth, who died in infancy; and Margaret Jane, who became the wife of Theodore W. Burtis and resides on the old Coutant homestead.
Mr. James Coutant was educated in the public schools of East Chester,
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New York, which at that time was supported by subscription. He was brought up on the farm of his father, which came into his possession after the death of his parents. He is now enjoying the evening of life and is a quiet, unassuming gentleman who never sought public position, but has ever been a useful and exemplary citizen.
JEROME DEAN BARNES.
This gentleman is one of the old and respected citizens of the thriving city of Yonkers, Westchester county. His ancestors lived in this state for several generations, coming to America originally from England. William Barnes, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Dutchess county, New York, and owned a large farm near Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson. Later in his life he went further west and, settling upon land in Steuben county, Pennsylvania, there passed the remainder of his days. At the time of his death he had reached the extreme age of ninety years. In politics a Whig, he occupied numerous local offices in his home community and was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife also attained a good old age, as she was four-score years of age when she was summoned to lay down the burdens of life. They were the parents of four children, namely: Margaret, William, Joseph and John.
The parents of the subject of this sketch were John and Mary A. (Van Tine) Barnes. The father was a native of Dutchess county, born in Pleasant Valley, in which locality he engaged in farming when he reached a suitable age. Afterward he removed to Putnam county, New York, and finally went to Paterson, New Jersey, in which city he lived until his demise, August 24, 1864, at the age of sixty years. His first wife died in 1852, when about forty years old. By his first union seven children were born, namely: Sam- uel, Mary Ann, Emily, Margaret, Charles, Jerome D. (our subject), and Me- lissa. Charles Barnes, the fifth child of John and Mary (Van Tine) Barnes, served in the Union army during the rebellion, in Company I, Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers, and was wounded at Sulphur Springs, losing his right leg. He still survives, and resides at Paterson, New Jersey.
Jerome D. Barnes was born February 23, 1842, in Putnam county, New York, and such education as fell to his lot was obtained prior to his thir- teenth year in the schools of Dutchess county. At that time he began work- ing in a spinning mill, and was thus employed up to the breaking out of the war. January 28, 1863, he enlisted in the Sixteenth New York Regiment of Heavy Artillery, being placed in Company F, under Captain Birch, at Buf- falo. He served in the Army of the Potomac, and with that celebrated branch of the army participated in some of the most important campaigns
Jerome Dean Barna
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and battles of the entire war. Among them were the battles of Antietam, second Bull Run, Sulphur Springs, South mountain, Fredericksburg, Fort Fisher, etc. At Petersburg he was wounded in the hand and had a finger shot off while on picket duty at the front. He is now a member of Colonel Kitchen Post, No. 60, G. A. R., and for twenty years has been connected with the same. In 1898 he attended the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Cincinnati, and greatly enjoyed the pleasant associations of the occasion and the meeting with old friends and comrades.
After peace had come to the Union, Mr. Barnes took up the trade of carpenter, and for many years worked as a journeyman. For perhaps a dozen years he devoted his energies to contracting and building and to specu- lating in real estate in Yonkers. He owns considerable property, and con- tinues to build houses and improve land, then disposing of the same. By degrees he has developed the greater part of Landscape avenue, one of the prettiest residence streets in the place. Politically, he is active in upholding the interests of the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Honor, having been a charter member of the local lodge, which was organized sixteen years ago. He is also connected with Lowerre Hose Company, No. 9.
January 7, 1868, the marriage of Mr. Barnes and Mrs. Jennie Wicks, née Burgess, was solemnized. Their three children are Isabella, Ralph and Franklin. The elder son, Ralph, is in business with his father, being a member of the firm of J. D. Barnes & Son. He is a member of the Odd Fellows society and is very prominent in athletic circles. He chose for his wife Miss Jeannette Sherwood. Franklin, formerly connected with the Fourth Separate Company, has belonged to the Twenty-second New York Regiment of National Guards for the past seven years. For four years he was employed by the Mercantile Co-operative Bank of New York, and is now running on the Yonkers & New York Express.
The maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Jennie (Burgess) Barnes was Samuel Sneden, a Revolutionary soldier, of an old and respected New York family, his home being in East Chester, this county. At the time of the colonial struggle with the mother country the great-grandfather of Mrs. Barnes, Samuel Sneden, Jr., was a young lad, and it is told of him that he wore silver buckles on his shoes. He married Sarah Vredenberg and six children were born to them, namely: Tamer, Hester (mother of Mrs. Barnes), Francis, Jane, Lavina and John, who was accidentally killed. The grand- parents lived to a good old age, both dying at eighty-four. Uriah Burgess, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Barnes, was of English origin, and was a miller by occupation. He married a Miss Day, of Long Island, and had one son, Samuel. The latter was also a miller and plied his vocation at East 14
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Chester and Van Cortlandt, dying at the first-named place. He was a patriot of the war of 1812. His eldest son, Samuel, died from the effects of wounds received in the service of his country. George was the second son. David was wounded by a shell June 23, 1864, when serving in the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, a member of Company F, under Colonel Kitchen. The daughters were Susan, Emeline, Sarah and Jennie. The father of these children departed this life October 16, 1848, when in his fifty-eighth year. His wife survived him until November 10, 1875, when she died at the age of seventy-four years.
JOHN C. CAMPBELL.
One of the most respected and esteemed citizens of Yonkers, New York, is the gentleman named above, who in business, social and fraternal circles of this place is active aud prominent, and all matters that affected the general welfare receive his earnest attention. When war threatened the stability of the Union, he was among the first to go to the rescue of the flag, and when peace came with its blessings he none the less stood at his post of duty, as a loyal citizen. It was in August, 1861, that he enlisted in Com- pany H. Seventh Regiment of New York Volunteers, and during the three years which followed he participated in many of the most arduous campaigns of the war, taking part in the battles of Bull Run, Fort McHenry, Federal Hill and many others. Among the commanders under whom he served were Sheridan, Hooker and Johnson. At the second battle of Bull Run he was shot in the leg, a minie ball passing through it, and though the wound occas- ioned him much suffering he would never accept a pension. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and though he has often been solicited to accept the office of alderman or local position of some kind he has persistently declined such honor. He is a member of the board of trade and of the Lady Wash- ington Hose Company. He is interested in the Park Hill Building & Loan Company, and also in the Yonkers Building & Loan Association.
The parental grandfather of our subject was David Campbell, a Scotch- man, who came to the United States when a young man of eighteen years, settling at Alpine, Bergen county, New Jersey, where he bought large stone quarries and dealt extensively in stone. In many respects he was a very re- markable man. He possessed great strength, weighed two hundred and thirty pounds, was double-jointed and had two rows of teeth instead of one, in each jaw. He met with success in business and was admired and respected by all who knew him. At the organization of the American party he was one of the most influential and interested supporters of the movement, and no one was a truer American at heart than he. He lived to a good old age, dying when in his hundredth year. His wife, who was small in stature,
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weighing about one hundred pounds, also lived to an advanced age, being ninety-eight years old at the time of her death. Her maiden name was Grace McFarland. They were the parents of three sons, namely: John, Alexander and Willianı.
John C. Campbell, father of our subject, was born on Perry street, New York city, March 9, 1819, and his early years were spent in the metropolis. Then for a short time he lived in New Jersey, but afterward for thirty years was engaged in taking contracts for stone masonry, his home being in Yon- kers, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was one of the most extensive builders and contractors here in his time and many public and private buildings stand. here as monuments to his skill. During the Civil war he served in Company H, Seventeenth New York Volunteers, and took part in numerous engagements. Afterward he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and for thirty-one years he was a prominent Mason, of the thirty-third degree, and was also identified with the Odd Fellows. He owned considerable realestate in Yonkers, was a successful financier and in politics a Republican. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Older, died when in her seventieth year, and of their ten children only four survive-J. C., Serena, Jacob and Mary, twins.
John C. Campbell was born March 18, 1848, at Alpine, Bergen county, New Jersey. He received a good education, and after leaving the schools of Yonkers went to Eastman's Business College, graduating there in 1864. He then became associated with his father in business and continued with him up to 1884, since which time he has been alone. He takes contractsfor various kinds of buildings, has employed as many as one hundred and sixty men at one time and has transacted over one hundred thousand dollars worth of business in a year. Himself a skillful and practical workman, he personally supervises all construction on his contracts and does much of his own design- ing. He owns some valuable property in this place and has been one of the most extensive realestate men here. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of John C. Fremont Post, G. A. R. In the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he is identified as a member, he has served in the capacity of a trustee. January 17, 1873, he married Melissa Meyers, of New York city, and they have one child, Amelia, wife of William H. Kahrs, a physician of Tremont, New York.
ED S. YOCOM.
In time this volume will acquire added value as a repository of the records whose historical significance will then be fully appreciated, but read- ers will doubtless peruse with special interest the stories of gallant service in that great struggle which determined, once and for all, that this nation is,
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in truth, "one and indivisible." Mr. Yocom, the present manager and sup- erintendent of the Shanahan Carriage Shops, the leading industry of the kind in Tarrytown, was one of the boys in blue during the Rebellion and made for himself a gallant record as a soldier. In response to President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand volunteers, he enlisted in August, 1861, and was appointed sergeant of Company L, Second New York Harris Light Cavalry, which regiment had a record second to none for brave and gallant service as rough riders under the leadership of that fearless little man, Gen- eral Judson Kilpatrick. They were in battle with General Mosby's com- mand, also General Gordon's, the Black Horse Regiment of Virginia, and many other noted cavalry and infantry regiments of the south. They also took part in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley and later did noble ser- vice for their country in Virginia, seeming to know no fear, though always feared by the enemy. For bravery on the field of battle Mr. Yocom was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and after three years of arduous service was honorably discharged, at Alexandria, Virginia. Just before the close of the war he was taken prisoner but was soon paroled, and when mustered out he returned to his home in New York. His company was first com- manded by Captain Seymore, of Peekskill, now deceased, and later by Cap- tain Carpenter, of Fishkill, New York.
Mr. Yocom was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1836, and is a son of Edward S. Yocom, who was born in the same place, of Swe- dish ancestry. He was an earnest Christian gentleman, a minister of the Baptist church, and for many years was a faithful and zealous worker in the cause of the Master. He married Miss Caroline Hagy, who was of French descent, and likewise a native of Philadelphia, where she was reared and edu- cated. She died at the age of seventy-three years, and the father at the. age of eighty-three, honored and respected by all who knew them. In their family were seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: Mary ;. Matilda; Ed S .; Isaac, who was a member of the same company and regi- ment as our subject; John, who served three years in the First New York Lincoln Cavalry, and is now a resident of Tarrytown; William, who wished to enter the service but was prevented on account of being too young; and Harriette.
Ed S. Yocom, of this review, was educated in the public schools and when a lad of thirteen years removed with the family to New York city. He was married in 1867, to Henrietta Barnes, who was born in Troy, New York, but was reared and educated in Westchester county. Her parents were James and Mary Ann (Jewell) Barnes, who both died in Fishkill Plains, New York, leaving many friends to mourn their loss; for they were highly esteemed by all who knew them. They had one son, Cornelius Barnes, who
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was a soldier of the civil war and died some years ago in Michigan. In 1871, Mr. Yocom became connected with the Shanahan Carriage Shops, at Tarrytown, and being an excellent mechanic and safe business man he was given the position of manager and superintendent, which office he is now so ably and satisfactorily filling. He is one of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of the place and has acceptably served as village trus- tee for ten years. Socially he is an honored member of Ward B. Nurnett Post, No. 496, in which he has held office, and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge of Peekskill. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist church, of which he has been a trustee for fifteen years.
FRED SULTZER.
Fred Sultzer, cashier for Otis Brothers & Company at Yonkers, was born May 10, 1859, in Kidderminster, England, a son of William E. and Eliza (Aston) Sultzer. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany, whence the name. William E. Sultzer, a native of England, was a man of superior educational attainments, having received instructions from private tutors and from many books and periodicals, and attained to a high degree of literary taste, etc. He was a dyer by trade, and came to the United States in 1857, locating at West Farms, Westchester county, New York, and he was employed for fifteen years by the Smith Carpet Company, at Yonkers, but at the time of his death he was a resident of Newark, New Jersey. In the old country he was a member of the Congregational church, in which he held some offices, but in this country he was a member of the Baptist church. During the war of the Rebellion he was a member of the Sanitary and Chris- tian commissions. In his politics he was a Republican. He died at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife is still living, now eighty-three years of age. Their children were Harriet E., William B., Margaret and Frederick. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Aston, lived near Kidderminster, England, all his life, dying at the age of seventy-two years; he had fourteen children.
Mr. Sultzer, our subject, received his school education at West Farms, in this county, from the age of five years, when he arrived with his parents in this country. When of sufficient age he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the machinist's trade, at the Morgan Iron Works, where he was em- ployed four and a half years. Next he entered the employ of the Woodward Steam Pump Company, in New York city, and in 1882 entered the service of Otis Brothers & Company as inventory clerk, in which capacity he was engaged in keeping an account of stock for the largest elevator manufacturers in the world. At length he was made cash clerk and finally the cashier, in
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which position he has now served for eight years. He has now been a resi- dent of Yonkers for thirty-five years, and is therefore well and favorably known for his sagacity and integrity. His present residence is at 188 Wood- worth avenue. In his politics he is a Republican, and in fraternal relations he is a Freemason, being a member of Rising Star Lodge, No. 450, F. and A. M., also of Terrace City Chapter, No. 177, R. A. M., and of Yonkers Commandery, No. 47, K. T., and he is at present the scribe of his chapter.
In December, 1889, Mr. Sultzer was married to Miss Alice Silvernail, of Berkshire Hills, Massachusetts, and their children are three in number, namely: Norman William, Carl Frederick and Kenneth.
ANDREW MARTINE TOMPKINS.
A very old family of Westchester county is honorably represented by this retired farmer and merchant of White Plains. He was born at Tarrytown Point, on the Hudson river, January 3, 1814, the eldest son of Noah Bishop and Sarah (Martine) Tompkins.
His father was born in the town of Greenburg, in 1790, was a farmer in early life and later captain of a sloop employed in both the freight and pas- senger service, but principally in the transportation of live stock. Still later in life he retired to his home at Tarrytown Point, where he spent the re- mainder of his days, having acquired a competency. He died in September, 1839. In his religion he was a Methodist, and in politics an old-line Whig.
His father, Thomas Tompkins, was likewise born in the town of Green- burg, Westchester county, in 1770, was a farmer by occupation, married Han- nah Ward, also a native of that town, and brought up eight children, -four sons and four daughters, -who married and had children.
Elijah Tompkins, the father of Thomas, was twice married, his second wife having been a Miss Travis, and he died in 1812; and Elisha Tompkins, who in turn was the father of the last mentioned, was the first settler of this family in this county, moving here from Connecticut. As nearly as can be ascertained, the family is of Welsh origin.
Sarah Martine was born in the town of North Castle, Westchester county, in 1790, a daughter of John Martine, who also was a native of this county, born in the town of Greenburg, and who married Sarah Allaire, of North Castle. Her grandfather was John Martine, of a family originating in France. The Allaires are also descended from the French.
Andrew M. Tompkins, the subject of this biographical record, was reared upon a farm, attended a school at White Plains taught by John Hobbs, a noted teacher formerly of Connecticut, continuing in school until he was four- teen years of age, when he was bound to James P. Allaire, of New York, the
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great builder of steamboats, under whom he learned the trade of ship car- penter. After completing his apprenticeship at that trade he went to Boston and was employed on a farm in the vicinity for about eight years. Re- turning to Westchester county, he engaged in farming pursuits in the town of Greenburg, renting for a time and then purchasing fifty acres, adding stock-raising to his general farming industry. He added to his farm area until he at length had eighty acres, and he continued in these rural callings until 1892, when he retired and soon afterward sold seventy acres of his farm, retaining ten acres as a homestead, on which he resides. This place is nicely equipped with the usual buildings.
In September, 1838, Mr. Tompkins married Abigail Parker, who was born in North Reading, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, a daughter of David Parker, Jr., and Lucinda (Swain) Parker, of South Reading, same state. Mrs. Tompkins was born in June, 1814, in North Reading and reard and educated there. Her grandfather, known as Liecit Davis Parker, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and participated in the first battle of Lexington and afterward drew a pension of ninety dollars until his death.
Mr. Thompkins, our subject, has three children, namely: Harriet E., wife of Sylvester G. Tompkins; Laura J., who married James S. Huestis; and Ida A., a spinster.
In reference to the great national issues Mr. Tompkins is a stanch Demo- crat, and has often been a participant in the councils of his party; but mean- while he has never sought or held office. He and his wife are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. He is now in his eighty-fifth year, hale and hearty and in possession of all his faculties.
W. K. HAVILAND.
One of Armonk's most esteemed citizens is Mr. Haviland, who for many years has been prominently identified with the leading business inter- ests of his locality, -first as a contractor and builder, and at present as a merchant. He has made his home in Westchester county since 1871, and has taken quite an active and prominent part in its political affairs, being a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democracy in the community.
Mr. Haviland was born February 26, 1846, in the eighth ward of New York city, a son of John B. Haviland, who worked at his trade there throughout the greater part of his life. The father was a native of Baden Baden, Germany and was a worthy representative of an old and honored family of that country. He received a good practical education in the schools of his native land, but when a young man he crossed the Atlantic to the New World. Here he married Jane Tomkins, who belonged to a good
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