USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 29
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Another address by Mr. Pugsley is then referred to in a newspaper of late date :
A large audience gathered in the assembly hall of the Oakside school, Peekskill, last night, to listen to an address by Cornelius A. Pugsley, president of the Westchester County National Bank, on " Money; or, the Currency System of Our Country." The address was intended for the alumni of the Oakside school, but in the audience were many of the best citizens of the town, in addition to one hundred and twenty-five cadets from the military academy of Peeks- kill, under the command of Colonel Orleman.
Finance is a somewhat dry subject for boys in their 'teens and men from the workshop, but, Mr. Pugsley so skillfully handled his subject and lighted up his recital with so many good stories by way of illustration that his audience became thoroughly interested, and manifested its appreciation by repeated cheers. The lecturer spoke for an hour and a quarter, and entirely without notes. He makes no pretense to lofty flights of oratory, but talks with ease and grace of diction. His audience listened with marked attention to his definition of money, of the currency of colonial days, of the barter between the Indians and among the various peoples of the world, and to his happy way of proving how old-time simplicity had given way to complex problems which even the great minds of the day could not satisfactorily solve. Showing the absurdities of some of the old ideas of currency, the speaker led his hearers to a consideration of the old state-bank currency, showing its dangers and portraying in many ways the irregu- larities which were practiced in the days when red-dog money and wild-cat schemes were prevalent. Mr. Pugsley told a story of the father and uncle of Chauncey M. Depew. Both were officers of the Westchester County Bank. They made a trip to Boston, and naturally put in their pockets some of the crisp notes of their own bank.
" They were men," said the speaker, " capable of using expressive language if the occasion demanded it. When they went to the desk at the hotel where they were stopping, to pay their expenses, their crisp Westchester County Bank notes were refused, owing to the fact that the bank was not known. It is needless to say that there was an explosion of wrath, and many blanks, as they said: 'Don't know the Westchester County Bank? Where were you born? Where have you lived?' Probably no bank bill was so well known and in such general use in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties from 1833 to 1860 as the bills of the Westchester County Bank. It was one of the few banks whose bills were current in New York city and throughout this state. Printed upon the bill was a picture of the capture of Andre at Tarry- town. I have here one of the first bills issued, bearing date of 1833, and signed by General Pierre Van Cortlandt as president and Isaac Seymour as cashier."
The lecturer then spoke of the different phases of metallic currency, notes and credits of banks, and notes of banks called legal tender, explaining in simple language the meaning of each and their relations to each other. He then told the audience all about the treasury department and its relations to the banks and the public, and spoke of the uncertainty of standard; showed the convenience of issuing and carrying notes and checks instead of coin; explained the value of clearing houses and their enormous transactions; told how necessary was international understanding regarding fixed standards of value, and earnestly and eloquently impressed upon those present the duty they owed to themselves in helping along all that was good and best for the safety, progress and development of the nation. Mr. Pugsley then concluded:
" Bigness is not greatness. It is not the sword alone which makes a nation great, but the possession and development along all lines of the mighty forces of peace as well as of war. May the American stand for all that is best in religion, in culture, and in power! As I think o
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our past history, of the fiery trials through which our nation has passed, of our wonderful progress and development of our vast area, of our magnificent mountains, of our boundless plains, it seems to me that in the ' long ago' some beautiful goddess of this western hemisphere had breathed forth a prayer in the words of the poet:
' Bring me men to match my mountains, Bring me men to match my plains- Men with empires in their purpose And new eras in their brains; Pioneers to clear Thought's marshlands, And to cleanse old Error's fen; Bring me men to match my mountains, Bring me men!'
" The prayer was answered; the men came; they builded their cities; they developed this mighty continent, and westward the course of empire took its way .. As I have already said one of the great bulwarks of national glory, greatness and power, and one which will prove of inestimable value to our country, is a sound and stable currency system. It is the life-blood of the nation's commerce and prosperity. Without it we cannot hope for commercial and finan- cial supremacy. With it our future prestige is assured. May the men of this great republic, regardless of party ties and affiliations, see to it that we have such a monetary system, not as partisans, but as patriots."
Mr. Pugsley was married, April 7, 1886, to Miss Emma C. Gregory, daughter of John H. and Catherine (Blakely) Gregory, of New York city, and to them has been born a son, Chester De Witt. Their home is the center of a cultured society circle, and their friends are among the best people of the community.
JAMES T. LENNON.
Prominent among the younger generation of business men who are rapidly forging their way to the front in the city of Yonkers is the popular Ashburton avenue pharmacist and president of the Westchester County Pharmaceutical Association, James T. Lennon. The successful conduct of any important business enterprise demands ability and talent of a no less pronounced order than that of the poet, the musician, the inventor or the scientist. Compara- tively few, indeed, are the men who succeed in business. Statistics record that ninety-five per cent. of business undertakings prove to be failures. Energy, ability, perseverance, and, above all, unquestioned integrity, are innate qualities that are of the greatest importance. To these must be added tact, courtesy and an ability to read and understand men. While some of these characteristics are in a measure the heritage of the individual, they are by no means incapable of cultivation and development through their proper exercise and application. This train of reasoning is the result of the contemplation and consideration of the life and character of Mr. Lennon, whose history is herewith given.
A son of John Lennon, he was born in Yonkers, April 6, 1869, and attended the public and high schools of the city, after which he entered the
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drug store of A. A. Van Houten to learn the business. He remained for six years with that gentleman, during which time he pursued a thorough course in pharmacy at the New York College of Pharmacy, and was graduated in 1890. The following year he purchased his present store, at No. 177 Ash- burton avenue, Yonkers, where he has since continued in the enjoyment of a profitable and constantly increasing trade. In the meantime, in connection with his former employer, A. Van Houten, he established the Elm Street Pharmacy, which they subsequently sold to its present proprietor, Ulric Weimedanger. Mr. Lennon conducts a general prescription and drug busi- ness, and is also wholesale agent for Parke, Davis & Company, the cele- brated drug manufacturers of Detroit, Michigan. He is president of the Westchester County Pharmaceutical Association, a fact which fully attests his personal popularity and recognized professional skill. Of this organiza- tion he has been a member for seven years, at all times manifesting an active interest in the advancement of his science and profession.
Socially, Mr. Lennon is a member of Nepera Tribe, No. 186, Independ- ent Order of Red Men; Court Palisade, No. 192, Foresters of America; Ter- race City Circle, Companions of Foresters; the Ancient Essenic Order; the Knights of Columbus; and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He also belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic church. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and a member of the finance committee of the Democratic general committee for the third ward of Yonkers.
Mr. Lennon was happily married, April 28, 1893, to Miss Winifred Butler, and to them have been born three children, -Nellie, James and Wini- fred. They reside in a beautiful home at No. 80 High street, the residence, which is a model of architectural beauty and convenience, having recently been erected by Mr. Lennon. He is an enterprising and public-spirited citi- zen in all matters looking to the public welfare of his town and county, and personally he is popular, and stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow-men.
JACOB KREIDLER.
The proprietor of Hotel Waldemar, Jacob Kriedler, is well and favor- ably known in Tarrytown as a successful business man and an upright and reliable citizen. Like many of our most progressive and enterprising men, he is of German parentage, and seems to have inherited many of the sterling characteristics of the Teutonic race, being industrious, persevering and ener- getic. The Hotel Waldemar is one of the leading hotels of the town, con- tains twenty-six rooms, well furnished in modern style, is conveniently arranged, is comfortable in winter and cool in summer. It is also pleasantly located on the corner of College avenue and Cortlandt street, in one of the
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best parts of the city for the business, and commands a good view of the town, the Hudson, the foot-hills and mountains, and the palisades in the dis- tance. It was opened by Mr. Kreidler September 23, 1897, and has since become popular among local politicians and officials in this part of the county, as well as with commercial travelers and tourists.
Mr. Kreidler was born in 1854 in New York city, where he was also reared, receiving a good education in its public schools. During his youth he served an apprenticeship to the carriage-maker's trade, which he subse- quently followed for some years. the greater part of the time being in the employ of a furniture company, and then in the shoe business seven years with the firm of Silver Brothers, of Tarrytown. He embarked in the hotel business as proprietor of the old Beehive Hotel at North Tarrytown, which he successfully managed for some time, and then erected the Waldemar, which has become a credit to Tarrytown as well as to the owner.
Politically he is a strong Democrat, and is an active and zealous worker for the interests of his party, while socially he is identified with the Forest- ers. Of a genial and jovial disposition, he easily makes friends and as easily retains them, so that socially he is very popular.
About twenty-two years ago Mr. Kreidler was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Frances Schreyer, who has proved a true helpmeet to him, and they have become the parents of two children-Ida Frances and Caro- line Augusta.
WILLIAM F. McDONALD.
One of Westchester county's most worthy and reliable citizens. Mr. McDonald is now serving to the best of his ability-and that ability of a superior order-as postmaster at Armonk, having been appointed to that position by President Mckinley in December. 1897. He is a native of this county, born in 1856, and is a son of William and Jane (Sherwood) McDonald. His parternal grandparents were William and Hannah (Matthias) McDonald, the latter a descendant of an old and popular New York family. The father of our subject died at the early age of thirty-two years, leaving his widow and four children, namely: Charles, William F., Julia and B. Frank. The mother now makes her home at White Plains.
Our subject has spent his entire life in Westchester county, his early education being acquired in its public schools. He also took a business · course, and is therefore well fitted for any position which he may be called upon to fill. In 1882 he led to the marriage altar Miss Emma Flewellin, daughter of John Flewellin, and to them have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows: Bessie, William, Alfred, George, Mabel, Ruth, and Robert.
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Since attaining his majority Mr. McDonald has been a pronounced Republican in his political views, and socially he affiliates with the faternity of Free and Accepted Masons at Mount Kisco, New York. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church, and he is an interested worker in the Sabbath-school. By the capable dischargs of his official duties as postmaster he has won the commendation and good will of the many patrons of the office and has the unqualified regard of all who know him.
WALTER T. SACKETT.
The assistant superintendent of the Sleepy Hollow cemetery, of North Tarrytown, Westchester county, was born at Ramsgate, Kent county, Eng- land, fifty years ago, and is a son of Thomas and Harriette (Longridge) Sack- ett, highly respected for their honesty and uprightness. About 1862 the family came to the United States, and in this county the father died at the age of seventy-two years, the mother at the advanced age of eighty-seven. Her life was entirely devoted to her family and her home, and both were held in high esteem by all who knew them. In the family were two sons, our subject and his brother Stephen J. Sackett. The latter was also a native of Kent, England and accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. He established the Sackett marble business at Tarrytown, successfully con- ducted the same until his death, which occurred in 1896. He was an honor- able business man, a good citizen, a kind husband and loving father, and was a worthy member of Solomon's Lodge, No. 196, F. & A. M. He left a widow, whose maiden name was Eliza Humphrey, and three children: Mrs. Phoebe Mullen, of Tarrytown; Josphine, wife of William F. Frost, of the same place; and Ira.
The subject of this sketch began his education in the public schools of Kent, England, and completed it in the public schools of this county, where he grew to manhood. He was reared to habits of industry and honesty, and on starting out in life for himself he accepted a position with the Sleepy Hol- low Cemetery Association, with which he has now been connected for twenty- seven years. Possessed of good business qualifications and a thorough knowl- edge of the cemetery grounds, he has proved a very efficient officer, as is evident from his long tenure of the position.
Mr. Sackett has been twice married, first, in 1867, to Miss Josephine Newman, who was born, reared and educated here, and was a daughter of. Hiram and Sophia (McKnight) Newman, residents of Tarrytown and repre- sentatives of old and prominent families of the county. Mrs. Sackett, who was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in 1880, and two years later our subject wedded Miss Clara D. Minnerly, of Tarrytown,
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who is a lady of culture and refinement, and a daughter of Edward and Char- lotte (Delanoy) Minnerly. Mr. Sackett became the father of three children, namely: Theodore C. and Hattie M., who are still living; and Walter, who died in childhood. Mrs. Sackett is very popular in musical circles, and socially she and her husband occupy a prominent position, while fraternally he is a member of Solomon Lodge, No. 196, F. & A. M .; Irving Chapter, R. A. M., of which he is high priest; Peekskill Council, No. 55, and Westches- ter Con:mandery, K. T.
PETER U. FOWLER.
It would be almost impossible to find any one more conversant with the history of Yonkers, its development, growth and progress than Peter Under- hill Fowler. This venerable man has long been identified with the region, and has not only watched the advancement, but has borne an active part in promoting all interests and measures which he believed to be for the public good. He was born at Post Hill, near Dunwoodie Station, now in the city of Yonkers, in 1835, his parents being Isaac Vermilyea and Magdellan (Under- hill) Fowler. Back to a very early period in English history, the ancestry of the family can be traced. The name, during the period of conquest there, designated an office, rather than a trade, as, the "Fowler for the King." The jealous care with which the Norman kings guarded their deer and other game gave rise to the office. The word is of Saxon origin, and was origin- ally Fugulen, while a kindred word is the German, " vogeler," meaning bird- catcher. Since 1640 the name has been spelled Fowlere and Fowler. Genea- logical records throw no light on the ancestry of the family back of the time of King Richard I. of England, known as Richard Coeur de Lion. The first of the name of whom we have record is Sir Richard Fowlere, of county Bucks, who flourished about 1189. He held large estates in that county, and accompanied King Richard to the Holy Land. For his valor in the siege of Acon he was knighted by his royal master on the field of battle. He was the distinguished progenitor of an illustrious family. One of his descend- ants, Henry Fowler de Foxley, was a member of the retinue of King Henry V., fought in the battle of Agincourt, in 1415, and was a member of the English parliament for the county of Bucks. Many other members of the family became distinguished in military, political and business circles.
The founder of the family in America was William Fowler, the magis- trate, who arrived in Boston, from London, England, June 26, 1637, but in 1638 went to Quinipiac, now known as New Haven, Connecticut. He was a trustee of the new settlement of Milford, founded in 1639, and was also one of the judges in all trials of civil affairs. In 1643 he was chosen one of the two magistrates of the colony of New Haven. Benjamin Fowler, the
Peter Ie Hawley
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great-great-grandfather of our subject, was a son of Joseph Fowler, of Rye, Westchester county, and was born November 15, 1715. He married Sarah Vincent, who was born December 13, 1715, and owned land, through inherit- ance, at Harrisons, but removed to Phillips Manor. He was a tenant on the Phillips manorial grant, but after peace was declared, and the land was con- fiscated by our government, he purchased three hundred and five acres, extending from the Nepperhan river east to Sprain brook, on either side of the Tuckahoe road. He was a justice of the peace of East Chester, and was town clerk in 1756. His death occurred in May, 1776. In his family were nine children.
Vincent Fowler, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born August 17, 1744, and died in 1816. He married Dorothy Valentine for his first wife, and his second wife was a Mrs. Merritt. Their children were Ann, Abraham, Benjamin, Vincent, Gilbert, Rebecca, Mary and Sarah. He owned two hundred and five acres of the homestead tract. His son Ben- jamin, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1770. He was a farmer and lived at the junction of Sprain and Tuckahoe roads. He held the office of highway commissioner, served as a captain in the war of 1812, and was at Long Island Heights when the British threatened to get to the rear of New York city by coming up the sound. He served as treasurer of St. John's Episcopal church for many years, and was a very zealous churchman. He married Jane, a daughter of Isaac Vermilyea, of Yonkers, and to them were born three children: Isaac V., Caleb and Susannah, the last named the wife of Thomas B. Underhill.
Isaac V. Fowler, the father of our subject, was born near the present Nepperhan station, at Yonkers. He owned one hundred and eighty-five acres of land and carried on agricultural pursuits until 1864, when he removed to White Plains and lived retired up to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1875, when he had reached the age of seventy-five years. At White Plains he had a small farm of thirty acres. In his political views he was a Democrat, and he served as town assessor for many years. Like others of his family he held membership in St. John's Episcopal church. As a boy of twelve years he had aided in splitting shingles that were used in the construc- tion of fortifications at Harlem Heights, during the war of 1812. He married Magdelian Underhill, a daughter of Peter Underhill, and her death occurred in 1891, at the age of ninety years. In their family were four children: Peter U .; Benjamin, who resides at White plains, New York; Isaac V., who resides at the homestead in White Plains; and Jane Ann, who died at the age of ten years.
Captain John Underhill, to whom Mr. Fowler traces his ancestry on the maternal side, won distinction through military service in the lower counties
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of Ireland, in the Netherlands, in France, and in Spain. He was a cham- pion of the cause of civil and religious liberty, and distinguished himself as a soldier in the glorious and successful struggle for freedom with Philip II. of Spain. When yet but a youth he held a commission in the Earl of Leices- ter's troop of guards, when its members were used as messengers between the earl and the queen. In 1632 he came direct from England to America, and first located in New England, but subsequently removed to Kenilworth, Long Island, and became a celebrated Indian fighter, figuring conspicuously in the early settlement of this region. He became a stalwart Quaker, and for assailing the government at Boston, Massachusetts, was banished. In 1644 he went to Long Island, afterward became a resident of Flushing, Long Island, and of Oyster Bay, and was made high sheriff in 1655. His first wife, Mary Mosley, came with him from Holland. His second wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Feeks, and one of their sons, Nathaniel Underhill, wedded Mary Ferris and came to Westchester county, where he purchased a large tract of land of John Turner. One of his sons was also given the name of Nathaniel, and was the great-great-grandfather of our sub- ject. He was born August 11, 1690, and died November 27, 1775. He married Anna, daughter of Israel Honeywell, and spent his entire life in Westchester county. His family numbered twelve children, and each mar- ried and their families averaged ten children each. One of the number, John Underhill, the great-grandfather of our subject, served as mayor of Westchester. He, too, was a farmer, and resided on the site of the present Gilbert Robinson residence, at Greenburg. He married Elizabeth Bowne, and their son Peter was the grandfather of Mr. Fowler. He married a Mrs. Bonnet for his first wife, and afterward wedded Ann Schulman. He was a farmer by occupation, served in the war of 1812 with the rank of colonel, and was a member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1855, at the age of ninety-one years, and his wife passed away at the age of ninety. Their children were John B., who followed farming at New Ro- chelle, Westchester county; Nicholas, who resided upon the homestead farm; Jane, wife of Abijah Morgan, of East Chester; Magdellan, who became the wife of Isaac V. Fowler, in 1832, and Lancaster; who was a dry-goods mer- chant of New York city.
Peter Underhill Fowler, whose name begins this record, acquired a common-school education, pursuing his studies on the site of the dispensary of St. John's Hospital. He remained at home until his marriage and then went to New Rochelle, where he engaged in the butchering business until 1864. In 1865 he came to Yonkers and succeeded Mr. Brevort, of the firm of Thompson & Brevort, in a grocery and provision business that had been established in 1801 by a Mr. Vark. When Mr. Fowler purchased an inter-
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est the firm name was changed to Thompson & Fowler, which has since con- tinued. They have a large and well equipped store on North Broadway and enjoy an extensive trade. Mr. Fowler is also interested with his brother in the ownership of the valuable tract of thirty acres left them by their father, in White Plains. He was one of the incorporators and for twenty years a trustee of the People's Savings Bank, and when the Citizens' National Bank was organized he became a trustee in the latter institution, with which he was thus connected until 1892. He is still a stockholder in both banks, is a member of the board of trade and is one of the directors of the Municipal Gas Company, of Yonkers. He also has other important investments, and is one of the leading and reliable business men of the city. Diligence and enterprise are accounted among his distinguishing characteristics, and sound judgment enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
In April, 1858, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A., daughter of George F. Codington. They have three children: Caleb Under- hill, who assists his father in business and who married Eliza Read, daughter of Jacob Read; Jane A. ; and George Vermilyea. The last named is a grad- uate of Cornell University and a professor of languages, but is now traveling in Europe. The family attend St. John's Episcopal church, and in his polit- ical adherency Mr. Fowler is a Democrat and has served for twelve years as a member of the police board. He has long been a very important factor in the commercial progress of the city, and at all times lends his support to the movements intended to advance the general welfare. His private enter- prises have been managed in a most creditable manner and have brought to him satisfactory financial returns. His business policy is above question, and he is now accounted one of the most reliable citizens of Yonkers.
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