USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 33
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can, and he has served as president of the board of water commissioners for two years. Under his administration many reforms were instituted in pro- tecting the watershed of the village. In the fall of 1898 he was elected one of the coroners of Westchester county. He is a past grand of Cortlandt Lodge of Odd Fellows, a past master of Cortlandt Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A. M., high priest of Mohegan Chapter, No. 221, R. A. M., and a member of Westchester Commandery, No. 42, Knights Templar. He has thus become quite prominent in Masonic circles and enjoys the high regard of the brethren of the craft, whose noble principles he exemplifies in his upright life.
F. W. GOFF.
F. W. Goff, the well-known and popular superintendent and manager of the Brace Memorial Farm School, in North Castle township, Westchester county, was born in Steuben county, New York, about thirty-six years ago, a son of Marvin and Eliza (Rice) Goff, prominent agriculturists of that county. Regular hours and good honest work upon the home farm made him robust and healthy, and laid the foundation for his success. He also received a good practical education, being a student in the State School of Agriculture for some time, and he is therefore well fitted for his present responsible posi- tion that he is now so ably filling. At the age of twenty-one he was nnited in marriage with Miss Eva Morgan, who is a most suitable helpmeet and partner for her husband in the management of the Home.
This farm school is well and favorably known throughout the state and is a home for about seventy boys between the ages of five and seventeen years. Suitable clothing and food are provided, and they are taught to be honest, industrious and moral, their religious training being both by precept and example. The farm is about two and a half miles east of Kensico station, and the residence is located on a high and natural building site so that it commands a beautiful view of the surrounding country, while it contains twenty-two large and airy rooms. Great barns and out buildings have been erected for the care of stock and grain, and these are surrounded by well cultivated fields, pastures, meadows and woodland, presenting a perfect pic- ture of a model rural home. Fifty sleek and well fed cows furnish an abun- dance of pure rich milk. The farm was established in 1893 and A. H. Lewis served as its first manager, being followed by our subject, the present genial and popular superintendent, who seems to be the right man in the right place. The home is non-sectarian religiously, and as loving parents to these seventy boys he and his wife are their guide in religious instruction. They hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active and prom- inent part in all church and Sabbath-school work.
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STEPHEN D. HORTON.
The Horton family, which is one of the oldest families of the county of Westchester, New York, finds its origin in England. Barnabas Horton, the first to come to this country, was supposed to be the son of Joseph Horton, of Leicestershire, England. It was in 1640 that Barnabas Horton came to America, and his settlement was at Southold, Long Island, where he founded a family which became a numerous and prominent one. He was an influen- tial man, especially in church matters, being identified with the Congrega- tional denomination, and he was also for several years a magistrate.
Joseph Horton, the son of Barnabas, married Jane Budd, daughter of John Budd, one of the original thirteen Puritans. In 1671 Joseph Budd was chosen one of the selectinen of Rye, Westchester county, New York, and in 1678 he was elected a justice of the peace, while, about the same time, he was also captain of a military company. David, son of Joseph and Jane (Budd) Horton, was born in Rye, Westchester county, New York, in 1664; mar- ried, about 1688, Miss Esther King, and settled at White Plains, New York. Daniel, son of David and Esther (King) Horton, was born in White Plains, New York, in 1702; married, in 1824, Miss Esther Lowe, and that same year settled at Yorktown, Westchester county. Stephen, son of David and Esther (Lowe) Horton, was born April 30, 1731. He was first married, December 24, 1758, to Sarah Owens, who died October 27, 1772, and December 29, 1773, he married Elizabeth Frost. He died December 7, 1814. During the war of the Revolution he served as a private under Colo- nel Van Cortlandt and Colonel Drake. Wright Horton, son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Frost) Horton, was born in Yorktown, New York, May 22, 1776, and on November 20, 1798, married Miss Anna Quereau, daughter of Dr. Quereau. Wright Horton was an orthodox Quaker, by occupation was a farmer, and was well-to-do and favorably known. Frost Horton, son of Wright and Anna (Quereau) Horton, was born in Yorktown, New York, September 15, 1806; was married in Yorktown, October 17, 1827, by Thomas Tompkins, Esq., to Phebe Tompkins, daughter of William and Lydia (Lane) Tompkins. She was born at Yorktown, November 25, 1803, and died May 14, 1894; she was a second cousin of Governor Daniel D. Tomp- kins, of New York. The fruits of their union were four children, viz .: William James, born December 10, 1828, died in September, 1898; Sarah Jane, born June 10, 1832, died March 10, 1835; Cornelia, born February 17, 1837, died February 18, 1852; and Stephen D., whose name heads this sketch, was born February 17, 1837.
Frost Horton died November 11, 1880. He was a retired maufacturer and had been a resident of Peekskill for more than half a century, having
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located there in 1828, at which time he was a poor man, his effects consist- ing chiefly of a few dollars in money, a rag carpet and a cow. He opened a blacksmith shop and earnesty set about laying the foundation to his for- tune. The first year he cleared and laid by a thousand dollars. With this capital he established himself in the plow manufacturing business, which he conducted until 1864, doing an extensive business, and selling his goods in almost every state in the Union. He had first as partner Mr. Truman Minor, who retired in 1855 and who was succeded by George W. Depew. Later each took in a son, and the firm name became Horton De- pew & Sons. Mr. Horton was a public-spirited man and was a number of times honored with high official position. The first office filled by him was that of supervisor of the township of Courtlandt, to which he was elected in the spring of 1855, and which position he filled five years. In the winter of 1858 he was a member of the state legislature, ably representing his dis- trict, and for many years he filled various local offices. He was a genial, kind-hearted man and had the respect of the entire community. In Peeks- kill his death left a vecancy which was seriously felt.
Stephen D. Horton, whose name initiates this review, was reared and educated in Peekskill. He entered into business with his father when a young man, in 1857, and remained a member of the firm until 1864, when they sold out to a stock company. He then engaged in the manufacture of mow- ing machines, which occupied his time and attention the next five years, busi- ness being conducted under the title of the Peekskill Manufacturing Com- pany. In 1868 he became associated with William Mabie under the firm name of Horton & Mabie, in the stove lining and fire-brick business, and of this enteprise he has now the sole control, Mr. Mabie having withdrawn in September, 1898. The concern is doing an extensive business. Aside from this business, Mr. Horton has for years had various other interests here. He is a director in the Westchester County National Bank, a trustee of the cem- etery, and was for a number of years president of the Horse Protective Asso- ciation. It was largely through his efforts that the horse thieves operating throughout this section of the country were detected and their gang broken up. As a detective he has a reputation that is more than local, having been employed in this line of work both before and since, as well as at the time he was sheriff of the county, and this business has taken him all over the eastern states. His hairbreadth escapes and many thrilling experiences would, were they written up, fill a volume. He was elected sheriff of Westchester county in 1882, assumed the duties of the office in 1883, and served in that capacity three years. Previous to this, in 1873, he was village trustee, in 1875 he was elected president of the village of Peekskill, and was aft- erward re-elected seven times, serving in all twelve years. He has been a
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consistent Democrat, and has supported all measures tending to conserve the welfare of his country. He was for two terms chief engineer of the fire department of Peekskill, as was his father before him. Fraternally he is identified with numerous organizations, including the Masonic order-lodge, chapter, consistory, and commandery and the Mystic Shrine-and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Horton was married December 28, 1857, to Miss Emily C. Horton, daughter of Joshua R. and Sally (Purdy) Horton. She was born in West- chester county, New York, and became the mother of three children, namely: Cornelia, born August 30, 1859, died August 31, 1866; Frost Joshua, born September 20, 1862, died November 20, 1862; and Stephen F., a physician, of Peekskill, New York, of whom further mention is made at the conclusion of this sketch. The Horton family attended worship at the Presbyterian church at Peekskill.
Of the maternal ancestors of the subject of this sketch, we make the following record: The Tompkins family, like the Hortons, have long been residents of Westchester county. The first representative of the family in this county was John Tompkins, who settled at East Chester in 1642; and, like the Hortons, again we find them to be of English origin. Their first landing here was at Plymouth, whence they went to Concord, and it was at the latter place, in 1642, that John Tompkins was born. He was the first of the family born in this country, and was the son of John Tompkins. The records show that for four successive generations the family name of John was retained, and in direct line. The third John Tompkins born in this country married Mercy Jones, daughter of James Jones. The fourth John Tompkins was born in 1739 and died March 2, 1825. He married Sarah Baker, who was born in 1743 and died in 1831. Their son William was born May 16, 1765, and died November 19, 1843. He married Lydia Lane, who was born August 24, 1769, and died April 13, 1843. Phoebe, their daughter, was born November 25, 1803, and died May 12, 1894. She mar- ried Frost Horton, of Yorktown. He was born September 15, 1806, and died October 17, 1827. He was the son of Wright and Ann (Quereau) Horton. Joshua R. Horton married Sally Purdy, who was born August 19, 1816, and died in June, 1892. Their daughter, Emily C. Horton, was born December 29, 1840, and married Stephen D. Horton, of Peekskill, New York, the two being of no kin, representing entirely distinct families.
Stephen Frost Horton, above referred to as the son of Stephen D. and Emily C. Horton, was born February 18, 1865, at Peekskill, and was reared and received his early education in his native town, for some time being a student in the Peekskill Military Academy. Later he entered Trinity School, at Tivoli, on the Hudson, where he graduated with the class of 1882. Next
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he spent one year in the chemical department of Columbia College, afterward entering the University Medical College of New York city, where he gradu- ated with the class of 1886. This training he followed with a post-graduate course at the Polyclinic of New York, where he spent one year, and at the end of that time he engaged in the practice of his profession. Throughout his preparation for practice, and ever since that time, he has taken an es- pecial interest in surgery, and has gained an enviable reputation as a skilled surgeon. Peekskill and vicinity have been the field of his practice. He is a member of the Westchester County Medical Society. He is, and has been for the past seven years, United States pension examiner, and is surgeon to the Peekskill Hospital. The fraternal organizations which claim him as an honored member are the branches of Masonry up to and including the com- mandery and Mystic Shrine, and the I. O. O. F., K. of P., A. O. R. M., Foresters, I. O. P., and Peekskill Gun club.
Dr. Horton resides with his family at No. 815 Main street, Peekskill. He was married September 21, 1886, to Miss Lillian Baxter, daughter of Corsan and Margaret (Finch) Baxter, the date of her birth being January I, 1865. They are the parents of two children: Douglas, born January 3, 1888, and Robert Donald, born December 23, 1889. The Doctor and his family attend services at the Methodist Episcopal church.
CHARLES F. WYCKOFF.
A leading merchant and prominent citizen of the village of Kensico, Westchester county, is Charles F. Wyckoff, who is distinctly entitled to rep- resentation in this compilation. While, as a prosperous business man, he has given close attention to his private affairs, he has never forgotten or ignored the bond of common interest which should unite the people of every community, and he has always been ready to promote progress in every line.
A native of this county, he was born in North Castle township, June 1 I, 1844, and is a son of John B. Wyckoff, a well known and honored resident of Kensico, who has served as justice of the peace for the long period of forty years. He is a native of Delaware county, New York, and a son of John Wykcoff, a native of Holland, who followed the mason's trade as a life work and aided his adopted country in the war of 1812. John B. Wyckoff married Miss Elizabeth Fisher, a daughter of Daniel Fisher, a representative of an old and honored family of this section, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Charles F., our subject; Mrs. Stella Gale, of Ken- sico; William J .; and Daniel H., a resident of Boston, Massachusetts. The mother died at the age of fifty years. In political sentiment the father is a Republican, and in religious belief a Methodist.
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During his boyhood aud youth, Charles F. Wyckoff remained with his parents, and was given a good practical education. For fifteen years he has engaged in business in Kensico, and in 1895 he erected his present large store building, it being twenty-five by fifty feet, two stories in height, with a base- ment. The second story is used as a residence. He carries a large and well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries, boots, shoes, notions, etc., and receives a liberal share of the public patronage.
At the age of twenty-eight, Mr. Wyckoff was united in marriage with Miss Ella Fisher, a daughter of Harvey P. and Adelia (Brundage) Fisher, and by this union two sons have been born: John Bertram and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the trustees, while socially he belongs to the Masonic Lodge, No. 473, of White Plains, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is active in promoting religious and temperance reforms, and his influence is always found on the side of right. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellowmen.
ISAAC VAN WART.
For twenty-eight years Mr. Van Wart has successfully engaged in busi- ness as a boot and shoe dealer at Pleasantville, New York, and is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of the place. He has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public develop- ment, and, with hardly an exception, he has been connected with every interest that has promoted general welfare. His name is a synonym for hon- orable business dealing, and he is always mentioned as one of the valuable citizens of the community.
Mr. Van Wart was born at Kensico, Westchester county, October 6, 1846, and is a son of James Van Wart, whose birth occurred near Tarry- town, this county, in 1822. The great-grandfather, Isaac Van Wart, was one of the captors of Major Andre, who was tried and hanged as a spy dur- ing the Revolutionary war. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey James Van Wart married Miss Eliza Jane Hobby, a native of Mount Pleas- ant township, Westchester county, the daughter of Elliott Hobby, and to this worthy couple were born three children: Isaac, William and Alexander. The father, who was a stanch Republican in politics, died at the age of fifty- five years, and the mother passed away at the age of seventy. Both were faithful members of the Methodist church, and were most estimable people.
The boyhood and youth of our subject was passed at Pleasantville, where he attended school. In December, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Dean, also a native of this county, and a daughter of Charles F. and
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Eliza (See) Dean. Her father, who was a well known and highly respected citizen of Westchester county, is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Van Wart have a nice home, in East Pleasantville, where hospitality reigns supreme, and both are members of the Methodist church. He is an enthusiastic sup- porter of Democratic principles, and is now the efficient and popular presi- dent of the town board.
BARTHOLOMEW GEDNEY.
At at early period in the colonial history of America the Gedney family was planted on American soil, in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1635, coming from Lincolnshire, England. The first of whom we have authentic record is John Gedney, who resided in Yorktown, near Crompond, and died about 1763, leaving a family of five children, namely: John; Polly, wife of Monmouth Hart; Betsey, wife of William Haviland; Martha, wife of Mr. Covert; and Sarah, wife of Edward Bugbee. John Gedney, the only son, was born April 16, 1763. When he was only two years old his father, who was a farmer by occupation, died, and he went to live with his uncle, Bartholomew Gedney, at White Plains. Upon the death of his uncle he inherited the homestead and fifty acres of land. His early circumstances were rather hard; he had but limited educational privileges and few opportunities of any character. Throughout his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits and met with a fair degree of success in his undertakings, owning at the time of his death a valuable farm of three hundred acres, all under a high state of culti- vation. He was generally regarded as one of the most progressive and lead- ing agriculturalists of the county, was a devoted and leading member of the Methodist church and was highly esteemed as a citizen. He wedded Mary, daughter of Benjamin Lyon, and they were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Margaret, who was born May 27, 1786, and married Peter Cor- nell; Esther, who was born January 24, 1788, and married Anthony Martine; Abigail, who was born November 16, 1789, and became the wife of Nathan- iel Tompkins; Elizabeth A., who was born January 29, 1792, and died un- married, in 1831; Phebe, who was borne June 6, 1794, and married George Wildey; Dorothy, born August 27, 1796; Charlotte, who was born June 20, 1800, and became the wife of Edward Billington; Bartholomew, born April 22, 1802; Elijah L., born May 5, 1804; Mary L., who was born September 6, 1806, and married Charles Whiting, of New York; and John B., born June 4, 1808. After a long, active and useful life Mr. Gedney, the father of these children, passed away, December 28, 1841, and was laid to rest in the old Methodist burying-ground in White Plains.
Bartholomew Gedney, whose name introduces this review, spent his entire life on the ancestral farm inherited from his father. Of an exceed-
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ingly industrious nature, he devoted his time and labor to the improvement of his estate, and was widely known as one of the most successful and pro- gressive agriculturists of the community. He followed the most modern methods, and was ever ready to take up a new theory which his practical judgment sanctioned. His fields were under a very high system of cultiva- tion, and upon a single acre of land one hundred and twelve bushels of corn have been raised, measured as shelled, while wheat at the rate of forty-seven bushels and hay to the extent of five tons per acre have been produced! He also engaged in raising short-horn cattle and was the owner of a herd unsur- passed by any other in this section of the country. The residence is pleas- antly situated on the north side of the Ridgeway road, and the farm was justly regarded as one of the finest in southeastern New York.
In 1824 Mr. Gedney was united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza, daugh- ter of William Hunt, of Tarrytown, and to them were born six children: Ann A .; John; William H .; Mary L., wife of William Horton; Jane H., wife of William Banks, of New Castle; and Bartholomew. In 1844 Mr. Gedney united with the Methodist church and was ever afterward one of its active and consistent members. He cast his first presidential vote for John Quincy Adams, and up to the time of his death never failed to cast a ballot at the presidential election. He always kept well informed on the issues of the day, and from the time of its organization was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. For many years he was a valued member of the Farm- ers' Club, of Bedford, and at all times was deeply interested in whatever tended to promote the welfare of the agricultural community. He frequently took premiums on his stock and produce at the Westchester county fairs, showing that he was in the lead in all matters pertaining to his chosen voca- tion in life. He lost his wife March 12, 1888, and his death occurred on the 13th of April, 1897.
W. J. CARPENTER, M. D.
A worthy representative of the medical fraternity, who has successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Katonah, Westchester county, for many years, is Dr. Carpenter, the subject of this review. He has also been prominently identified with the business interests of the place, and is acknowledged to be one of its most useful and valued citizens.
Charles Carpenter, the Doctor's father, was a son of Abram Carpenter, and in early life married Miss Rachel White, a daughter of Jacob White, who belonged to quite a prominent family of this section of the state. The chil- dren born to this worthy couple were Frank B., a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; W. J., of this sketch; Ella; and two who are now deceased.
During his boyhood and youth Dr. Carpenter received a good prac-
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tical education, which well fitted him to engage in school-teaching, which profession he successfully followed for several terms. He commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Alfred L. Loomis, a prominent physician, who was at one time engaged in practice in New York city. Later our subject entered the New York University, where he was graduated with the class of 1877, receiving the degree of M. D. The following year he settled at Ka- tonah, opened an office, and was not long in building up a large and lucrative practice, as his skill and ability were soon widely recognized. In partner- ship with T. K. Green he has dealt quite extensively in real estate, and now owns thirty-five acres in an addition to Katonah, besides twenty acres else- where and some good residence property. In his work along this line he has done much to promote the interests of the town and advance the general welfare.
On the 30th of April, 1885, Dr. Carpenter was united in marriage with Miss Anna L. Greene, a woman possessing many good and noble quali- ties of heart and mind. Her father, Alsoph Greene, deceased, was at one time a prominent citizen of Katonah, and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Hester Farr, is still a resident of that place. The greatest loss that has come into the Doctor's life was caused by the death of his wife. She left one son, Walton, now eleven years of age.
Socially Doctor Carpenter is a prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, No. 709, F. & A. M., the chapter, commandery and Mecca Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He takes an active interest in the success of the Repub- lican party, which he always supports by his ballot, and as a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, his aid is never withheld from any object which he be- lieves calculated to prove of public benefit.
VALENTINE DOERN.
A retired contractor and builder of New Rochelle, New York, Mr. Doern is the possessor of a good property, which now enables him to spend his years in the pleasurable enjoyment of his accumulations. The record of his life, previous to 1893, is that of an active, enterprising, methodical and saga- cious business man who bent his energies to the honorable acquirement of a comfortable competence for himself and family. In early life he came to America, and with no capital started out in a strange land to overcome diffi- culties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. His youthful dreams have been more than realized, and in their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of his honest toil.
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