USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 35
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Mr. McTague, whose name heads this sketch, was educated at Mount St. Mary's College at Emmettsburg, Maryland, where he pursued his studies five years. Leaving school, he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, with his headquarters at Norristown, Pennsyl- vania. Afterward he entered the employ of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, and was a contractor in the construction of five miles of heavy railroad work near the viaduct.
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Next he was in the mountains of the Keystone state for eighteen months, the end of this period being near the close of the year 1880. Going then to the city of Philadelphia he was a contractor there in the construction of sewers, building many of the principal sewers in the great city. Next he became superintendent of construction on subways and tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company from New York city to Mamaroneck. In 1889 he came to Mount Vernon, where he was employed in the construc- tion of sewers and grading many of the streets, etc., and is enjoying the rep- utation of being a first-class workman and a faithful contractor. He owns a fine residence and other valuable property in Mount Vernon and other towns in the vicinity.
In his political views Mr. McTague is a Democrat, and since his arrival he has been appointed by the board of aldermen to the office of public works, receiving his commission June 16, 1897, for the term of two years. In the fraternal orders he is a member of New York Lodge, No. 1, Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks; of San Salvador Lodge, Knights of Columbia; of the Catholic Knights of America, the Knights of St. John of Malta and other societies of minor importance.
August 17, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Mamie T. Kelly, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William Kelly, who is an old and highly respected citizens of that place. Mr. and Mrs. McTague have three children, viz. : Stephen P., Harry P. Jr., and Marie.
SAMUEL W. DASSLER.
The building industry of New Rochelle and surrounding towns in West- chester county, New York, has felt the force and enterprise of the subject of this sketch, Samuel W. Dassler, contractor and builder, of New Rochelle, his native town.
Mr. Dassler was born in the month of August, 1862, and is a son of German parents. His father and mother, William and Agnes (Geils) Dassler, emigrated from Germany to this country shortly after their marriage and upon their arrival here selected New Rochelle for their place of location. In early life the father was a miller, but after coming to this country he worked at the carpenter's trade, and was thus occupied up to the time he re- tired from active life.
Samuel W. Dassler passed his boyhood days in New Rochelle, and at- tended school here up to the time he was thirteen years of age. Early having an ambition to start out and do something for himself, at the age of thirteen he left school and secured a position as clerk in the store of C. A. Meyer, of New York city, with whom he remained two years. Returning to New
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Rochelle at the end of that time he turned his attention to work at the carpenter's trade, working first for John Geils, under whom he served an ap- prenticeship of three years. He then worked as a journeyman, for different parties, for nearly ten years, and since that time has been in business for himself, contracting and building, employing at times a large force of men. He has erected many of the handsome dwellings in New Rochelle, Pelam, Tuckahoe, Mount Vernon and Larchmont, his contracts covering the build- ings from cellar to garret.
Mr. Dassler has a pleasant home at No. 21 Walnut street, New Ro- chelle, where he resides with his family. He was married September 30, 1885, to Miss Mary A. New, eldest daughter of John and Mary A. (Krielter) New, of an old and highly respected family of New Rochelle. Mr. and Mrs. Dassler have four children, ones on and threedaughters, -Clarence A., Lillian M., Edith C. and Helen M.
Politically, Mr. Dassler is a Republican. He has always taken a com- mendable interest in public affairs, but has never sought official honors. For years he has been connected with the fire department of New Rochelle; served two years as assistant chief and one year as chief. He was a member of the Mutual Savings and Loan Association, but has severed his connection with same. Both he and his wife are identified with the German Methodist Episcopal church, of New Rochelle, of which he is a trustee and liberal sup- porter. He was one of the organizers and charter members of the Young Men's Christian Association of New Rochelle, organized January 31, 1899, and is a trustee of the same. He was also one of the organizers and charter members of the New Rochelle Board of Trade.
THOMAS J. BURKE.
The subject of this résumé has been a resident of New Rochelle for more than twenty-five years and is thoroughly identified with its interests, both as a business man and town official.
Thomas J. Burke was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, in 1849, son of Phillip and Nora (O'Brian) Burke. The mother died in her native land, and after her death the father came, in 1887, to this country and joined his son in New Rochelle, New York, where he died shortly afterward. Thomas J. was reared on his native isle and there received a fair education in the common schools. He was employed in various ways after leaving school until 1867, and that year said goodbye to home and friends and embarked for America, land- ing in due time at New York. He was compelled to leave his native land on account of the position he had taken in the cause of right and justice, -advo- cating the cause of his oppressed countrymen, and seeking to bring about an
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amelioration of their unhappy condition. His patriotic devotion thus made him a marked man, and, as stated, he was compelled to seek a home elsewhere. He remained in New York city until 1872 and since that date has been a res- ident of New Rochelle. On coming here he entered the employ of Mr. George Govers, having worked with his father before leaving Ireland, and he learned the trade of painting and decorating, becoming familiar with every detail of the business. Having worked for George Govers four years, he engaged in business on his own account, taking contracts and employing a large force of men. The prompt and efficient manner in which he executes his work, together with his courtesy and his desire to please, has brought him into favor with the trade and his services are always in demand. As a house painter and decorator he has no superior in New Rochelle.
Mr. Burke has for a number of years taken a lively and enthusiastic interest in political matters. He affiliates with the Democratic party, is often found in its councils, and has been honored by his party with election to local office of trust. He served as overseer of the poor three years, was on the board of health three years, and in April, 1898, was elected to the office he now holds, that of village trustee to represent the second ward, for a term of two years. For twenty-two years he has been connected with the fire depart- ment of New Rochelle, -at first as assistant foreman of Huguenot Engine Company, the company with which he is still identified, and he has from time to time filled various other positions in the fire department.
In 1868 Mr. Burke was united in marriage to Miss Theresa O'Connor, like himself, a native of Ireland. She came to this country in her girlhood, was reared here, and passed the most of her life in New Rochelle. She died here, leaving three children, Philip, Thomas and Anna. For his second wife Mr. Burke married Miss Anna Oldfield, and by her has two children, --- Allafancies and Nora. Mrs. Burke was born in Temple Derry, county Tip- perary, Ireland, of which place her father, James Oldfield, was formerly port- master. She came to America about 1888. The family residence is at No. I14 Church street.
ALEXANDER LEGGET.
The deserved reward of a well spent life is an honored retirement from business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Legget is quietly living at his beautiful home, about three-quarters of a mile from the village of Bronxville, on the Harlem division of the Grand Central Railroad, and is surrounded by the comfort that earnest labor has brought him. His palatial residence is a magnificent stone structure and, being surrounded by a forest of fine trees, is certainly one of the most beautiful and attractive places of the locality.
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Mr. Legget was born in New York city, in 1833, a son of David and Mary (Graham) Legget. The father was born in the city of Edinburg, Scot- land, and the mother was a native of New Jersey, her mother being a Cott- sell and a native of New Jersey. Our subject attended the Scotch Presby- terian church schools there for some time, and later became a student in the Tarrytown Paulding Institute. After leaving school he spent seven years at sea, in the employ of the Atlantic merchant vessels.
Deciding to leave the water, Mr. Legget came to White Plains, West- chester county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits in a general way, and very successfully, until 1862. After that he was still more or less con- nected with farming until 1889, but owing to ill health he has now practically retired from active work, though he still looks after his varied business inter- ests. He still owns his farm near White Plains, which is well improved with good buildings and under a high state of cultivation, and he now rents the same, while he lives near Bronxville on the place previously mentioned. This country seat of seventeen acres was improved by John Masterton, who was for some years engaged in the banking business in Mount Vernon, New York; but the bank afterward failed.
In 1873 Mr. Legget was united in marriage with Miss Ada Welsh, of New York city, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Munn) Welsh, the for- mer a prominent grocer of that place. Four children grace this union: David G., Mary S., Helen A. and Wilhelmina A. Politically Mr. Legget affili- ates with the Democratic party, and for the long period of six years he most creditably filled the office of trustee, while living on his farm at White Plains. He is a rather quiet, unassuming gentleman, but has made a host of friends and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.
JOHN E. LOGUE.
John Edmund Logue is one of the most enterprising young men of Yonkers, prominent in local organizations and fraternities, and recognized as a factor of no small importance in political circles. He is a wide-awake, patriotic citizen, always looking out for the best interests of this place, in which his lot is cast, and ready to expend time, energy and means in the promotion of the public welfare.
Bernard V. Logue, the father of our subject, was formerly engaged in the plumbing business, and is now living retired in Yonkers. During the civil war he served for four years with the gallant Seventeenth New York Regiment, which won renown for the Union and for its home state. It was organized in the opening years of the war, and, owing to the fact that four companies of the regiment were men from this county, it was often called the
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Westchester Chasseurs. The Seventeenth participated in the battles of Yorktown, Cold Harbor, White House Junction, second Bull Run, Antietam, Shepherdstown, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, United States Fork, and many others of lesser note, and at Hanover Court House captured the first cannon taken from the Confederates by the Army of the Potomac during the war. In the spring of 1863 the regiment was mustered out, but was imme- diately reorganized for three years more of service, and took the field in the following September, being the first 'of the thirty-nine old regiments to report for duty again. In the disastrous second battle of Bull Run the Seventeenth lost over two hundred of their five hundred and fity men engaged, while on various other occasions they suffered heavily. Mr. Logue was always found at his post of duty, prompt, reliable and trustworthy, winning the commenda- tion of his superior officers.
John Edmund Logue, who was born May 13, 1872, is next to the young- est of the four children of Bernard V. and Margaret M. (Prendergast) Logue, the others being Ida, Vincent B., and Mary M., who died February 18, 1899. He was educated in St. Mary's parochial school in Yonkers, and was gradu- ated in 1888, after which he studied law for a year in the office of Judge William C. Kellogg. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper for L. R. Condon, with whom he continued in that capacity until 1893, since which time he has held a similar place with the extensive lumber dealers, Lawrence Brothers.
For the past five years Mr. Logue has been identified with the Irving Hose Company; in 1895 was elected to the secretaryship of the company and served for a year, and has since been chairman, being now in his third term. In 1896 he represented his company at the convention of the New York State Firemen's Association, at Lockport, at Schenectady in 1897, and at Bing- hamton in 1898. In the Schenectady assembly he presented and strongly advocated Yonkers as the place of next convention, and though he was not immediately successful, this was the initial step toward the happy result, - that this city was selected for the annual meeting in 1899. Mr. Logue is the chairman of the state exhibit committee for the New York Association for 1899; is the chairman of the committee on printing and advertising, and is one of the citizens' executive committee, consisting of one hundred of the prominent citizens and business men of Yonkers. He belongs to the general committee also, and drew up the constitution and by-laws governing the association. This figures as one of the most important events of recent years in Yonkers, and much general interest has been felt in the matter.
In the Improved Order of Red Men Mr. Logue stands high, having been junior sagamore, senior sagamore, sachem, chief of records, and now, for the third year, trustee in Algonquin Tribe, No. 288, of Yonkers. He belongs to the
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Nepera Haymaker's Association; in 1898 was elected to the presidency of the Westchester County Association of Tribes, after a hotly contested campaign, and in January, 1899, was unanimously re-elected to this important office. Besides, he is associated with the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, and with John C. Shotts Camp, No. 2, Sons of Veterans. Formerly he was a member of the famous Leo Club (since disbanded) and was once sent as a representative to the archdiocesan reunion, in New York city. He is fond of athletics, and is a member of the Yonkers Yacht Club. Active in the Democratic party, he was a member of the general committee, and in 1898 was his party's nominee for alderman from the third ward, and was chair- man of the assembly convention of that year.
On the 30th of October, 1894, Mr. Logue and Miss Katrina Turnau, of Nyack, New York, were united in marriage. The young couple have two promising boys, namely: Edmund Turnau and John Bernard. Mr. Logue belongs to the parish of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, and he and his wife are very popular in social circles.
WILLIAM J. KOCH.
The gentleman to whose life history we now direct attention affords an excellent illustration of the self-made man. He started out a poor boy, with only a limited education, and has worked his way along, overcoming the many difficulties he met from time to time, until he to-day occupies a repre- sentative place among leading business men of the town in which he lives, and as a result of his years of labor has a handsome property.
William J. Koch was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 23, 1845, son of William and Frances Koch, both natives of Bavaria. William Koch was a bookbinder, which business he operated in connection with the grocery busi- ness. The latter he followed until he came to the United States, in 1856. He died in Brooklyn, New York, in 1859. His wife, the mother of our sub- ject, died in Bavaria, Germany.
William J. is the youngest of a family of twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity. He received his education in the schools of his native place, attending school between the ages of six and thirteen years. At thir- teen he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter, and served a term of three years, during that time acquiring a good knowledge of the various branches of the business. After completing his apprenticeship he traveled as a journeyman, first going to Mainz, on the river Rhine, where he remained one year. From there he went on foot to other places and in this way traveled about for nearly a year, visiting numerous towns and cities. Being short of funds, he finally settled down to work at Hamburg, where he
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remained during the years 1865 and 1866. From 1867 to 1869 he served in the Bavarian army. At the close of his two years' service as a soldier, he deserted and returned to his former home, told his old friends good by, and in the spring of 1869 embarked on a sailing vessel bound for New York, at which port he landed after a voyage of fifty-nine days.
Arrived in New York city, Mr. Koch first found employment in a paris- green factory, where he worked one year. Not liking the business, however, he returned to work at his trade in New York city. Thus he was occupied until the spring of 1871, when he came to New Rochelle. The first five years of his residence here he was in the employ of Valentine Kriedler, and at the end of that time he began contracting and building, in which he has since been engaged. He employs a large force of men, takes contracts to build from foundation to completion, and has successfully completed a large amount of work during his career here, many of the fine dwellings of New Rochelle and surrounding towns standing as evidence of his enterprise and skill. During the past eighteen years he has done all the building on Glen island, the well-known summer resort. In 1890 he formed a partnership with John Kirchofer, under the firm name of William J. Koch & Company, which asso- ciation still exists.
Mr. Koch was married in 1871 to Miss Mary Stouter, of New Rochelle, youngest daughter of Francis Stouter. The fruits of their union are three sons, -William J., Frank L., and Harry G.
Mr. Koch is a Republican and is stanch in his support of the principles advocated by his party. He has served two years as trustee of the village and at present is assistant chief of the fire department. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations: Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M .; German Lodge, I. O. O. F., of New York city; Royal Arcanum and the Legion of Honor.
ISAAC CARPENTER.
The subject of this brief sketch, a citizen of Harrison township, West- chester county, was born at White Plains, this county, February 16, 1864, and belongs to a family which was founded here during the pioneer days, among its first settlers. His father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather each bore the name of Isaac Carpenter. The father was born, reared and educated in Westchester county, and for some years was engaged in the commission business in New York city. He was of good old Quaker stock and in politics a Republican. His death occurred at Roselands, near White Plains, when he was sixty-four years of age. He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Field, by whom he had .one child, Harry C., who died at the age of twenty-one. After her death
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he married Miss Catherine Henrietta, of New York city, who was a woman of many excellent qualities of mind and heart. She was reared and edu- cated in her native city and was a daughter of John Henrietta. Our subject is one of a family of seven children, of whom four are now deceased, namely: Anna; Charles, who died at the age of seven years; Grace, who died at the age of two years; and Kitty, who departed this life at the age of nine years. The living are Isaac; John H., a resident of Vineland, New Jersey; and Lillie, the wife of Willis M. Rich, of Byram, Connecticut.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in his native county, and he was reared to the habits of industry and honesty, while his literary education was secured in the public schools. On starting out in life for himself he was a railroad employee for several years, and later was foreman for a business firm for a time. Being a young man of industrious habits, he has retained the confidence and high regard of his employers. He now owns and cultivates a good farm of thirty acres in Harrison township, which is well improved, with a good orchard, a pleasant residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. In connection with general farming he is also engaged in market gardening and contracting for building.
In December, 1890, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage with Miss Alberta Sutton, now deceased, and in 1893 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Lillie Sutton, a daughter of Albert and Dorothy Suttton. He now has two children, -Isaac and Alberta.
In politics Mr. Carpenter is an ardent Republican. In 1888 he was first elected the commissioner of his township, and since then he has been constantly re-elected, and is therefore now serving his eleventh year in the office. He is the present chairman of the board, and he has also served as secretary and treasurer.
AUGUSTUS KIPP.
Augustus Kipp, inspector of buildings in Yonkers and an honored vet- eran of the Civil war, was born at Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, New York, October 31, 1839. His paternal great-grandfather Kipp was a native of Holland who emigrated to the New World, founding one of the old Knicker- bocker families of the Empire state. He served in the war of the Revolu- tion when the colonies gloriously and effectually attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression and was a loyal citizen of the new republic. His son, Martin Kipp, grandfather of our subject, resided in Dutchess county, New York, where he carried on agricultural pursuits. In his political faith he was a Republican, and in religious belief a Lutheran. His children were Polly, Susan, Mrs. Matilda Owens, William and Henry.
The father of our subject was a native of Dutchess county and acquired
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Augustus Kipp.
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his education in the common schools of Rhinebeck, where he made his home throughout life. He gave his political support to the men and measures of the Republican party and worshiped in the Lutheran church. His death oc- curred in 1840, when he was about sixty-four or five years of age, and his wife passed away in 1879, at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were three sons and two daughters: James H., who is engaged in farming at Rhinebeck, and has served for many years as assessor and supervisor of his township; William Edgar, who served for twelve months in Virginia dur- ing the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in 1864, and is now a farmer of Rhine- beck; Mrs. Serene M. Kipp, a widow; Elizabeth, wife of John Simons, a farmer of Rhinebeck; and Augustus.
The maternal grandfather, David Cole, was also a native of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, and carried on farming on an extensive scale. He aided his country in the war of 1812, and gave his political support to the Repub- lican party. Like the Kipp family, his religious belief was in harmony with the doctrines of the Lutheran church. His family numbered nine children: William, Benjamin, David, Peter, Laura, Mary, Eunice, Catherine and Margaret. The grandfather died at the age of seventy years, and his wife departed this life at the age of seventy-four.
In the district schools of his native town Augustus Kipp acquired his education, and on putting aside his text-books continued farming on the home farm, where he remained until after his marriage. He then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in Dutchess county until the war, when, feeling that his first duty was toward his country, then imperiled by rebellion in the south, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in New York city, on the 15th of August, 1861. He became a private in Com- pany D, Thirty-second New York Infantry, and on the 11th of September, 1861, was promoted to the rank of corporal, on the 15th of October to sergeant, and on the Ist of June, 1862, to orderly sergeant of his company. He participated in the battles of West Point, Gaines' Mills, White Oak Swamp, the seven days' fight ending in the battle of Malvern Hill, the second battle of Bull Run, and South Mountain. When the army arrived at Har- rison Landing after the seven days' engagement, he was the only non-com- missioned officer in the company, and was presented to Colonel Matherson, who put his name on the list for promotion, which he surely would have received had he not been taken ill with typhoid fever. He was sent to the hospital in Washington in September, 1862, and on the 28th of November following was honorably discharged on account of physical disability.
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