USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 38
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Although the Ritters were originally Lutherans, they became converts to the Church of England soon after their arrival in America, and were promi- nently identified with the affairs of Trinity church, and with the other churches established by the Trinity corporation in other parts of the city. Soon after taking up his residence in " Greenwich Village," Henry Ritter, in conjunction with Don Alonzo Cushman, and his cousin Catherine Ritter,
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became greatly interested in establishing a Protestant Episcopal church in the village, as old Trinity church, which they attended, was considered too far away. Accordingly, a meeting was held in the residence of Henry Ritter, and measures taken for the erection of old St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal church, which is still standing, on Hudson street. As Don Alonzo Cushman had previously married into the Ritter family, it can be said that St. Luke's church was established solely by them. The mural tablets that formerly adorned the walls of this quaint old edifice have since been removed to the modern St. Luke's church, in the upper part of the city, where they are pre- served to commemorate the names of Henry and Catherine Ritter and Don Alonzo Cushman, the original founders of the parish.
As Henry Ritter's wife, Eliza Backus, was a direct descendant of Will- iam Bradford, one of the Pilgrim fathers who landed on Plymouth Rock, on the 11th of December, 1620, and who is celebrated in colonial history as Governor William Bradford, one of the ablest of the Puritan governors of Massachusetts, a brief digression will be made here to follow out this branch of the family genealogy.
Henry Ritter, as has been said, married Eliza Backus. She was a daughter of Delucena Backus and Electa Mallory. Delucena Backus was the son of John Backus and Sybil Whiting. Sybil Whiting was the daughter of the Rev. Samuel Whiting and Elizabeth Adams. Elizabeth Adams was the daughter of the Rev. William Adams and Alice Bradford. Alice Bradford was the daughter of Major William Bradford and Alice Richards. Major William Bradford was the son of Governor William Bradford and Alice Reyner.
The Backus family genealogy can be traced back to William Backus, who came to this country in the ship Rainbow, and was first heard of in Say- brook, Connecticut, in 1637. Here he married a daughter of John Chodes, of Bradford, Connecticut. In 1659 he moved to Norwich, Connecticut, and set up in the cutlery business. He was one of the original settlers of that town. His eldest son, William, married Elizabeth Pratt, daughter of Lieu- tenant William Pratt, of Saybrook, Connecticut, commander of the town trained band. The third generation of the family were descendants of his second son, John, who was born at Norwich, Connecticut, February 9, 1661, and died at Windham, March 27, 1724.
John Backus married Mary Bingham, February 5, 1692, and was one of the original sixteen settlers of Windham, Conn. He served as deputy to the general court, and served as sergeant in the town trained band. The fourth generation of the family was continued through John Backus, Jr., born in 1698, and married to Sybil Whiting, the great-great-granddaughter of Gov- ernor William Bradford. A son by this marriage, Delucena Backus, mar-
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ried Electa Mallory, and among their children was Eliza Backus, who became the wife of Henry Ritter.
John Peter Ritter, the youngest son of Henry Ritter and Eliza Backus, was born in "Greenwich Village," on the 14th of January, 1822, and was baptized in St. Luke's church, on Hudson street, a few days later, by the Rev. Dr. Upfold. After leaving school he found employment in a whole- sale dry-goods house on Hanover square, New York city, and soon mastered every detail of the business. He afterward became a member of the great firm of Ralph Clark Company, wholesale dry-goods merchants, where one of of his fellow partners was Frank Work, the famous Wall street operator.
After an association with this house for several years, he founded the firm of Ritter, Phelps & Company, and accumulated considerable wealth. Unfortunately, however, the firm's dealings were principally with southerners. When the Rebellion broke out, they were unable to collect their outstanding bills, and, in 1863, were forced into failure. Mr. Ritter's career as a dry- goods merchant brought him into intimate relations with A. T. Stewart, James McCreery and other great merchants of the time.
On November 11, 1846, John P. Ritter married Miss Mary Ann Wen- man, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. George T. Bedell, in the Church of the Ascension, at Fifth avenue and Tenth street, New York city. Before the war they resided on Hudson street, and afterward on Lexington avenue near Thirty-fourth street. Subsequently they removed to the now famous Briar Cliff Farms, near Sing Sing, and in the spring of 1869 came to Yonkers and occupied the commodious residence, on Beuna Vista avenue, which is still standing.
John P. Ritter's marvelous ability at figures, and his absolute integrity and fidelity, made his services invaluable in business. About a year after his failure, therefore, he entered the New York Clearing House, where he was made assistant manager of one of the most important financial institutions in the world. Mr. Ritter was an illustration of the possibility that a man may handle almost inconceivable wealth, and yet not be burdened with an undue proportion thereof as his private property. During his twenty-five years of service in the New York Clearing House, an average of from five to six mil- lions of dollars in actual money passed through his hands every day; yet during his incumbency, he never was known to make an error.
At the time of his death, on October 10, 1888, John P. Ritter was presi- dent of the Bank Clerks' Association of New York city. He was very much interested in helping young men on in the world, and many such secured positions through his influence. He was a great lover of music and of art, and ever ready to do his share toward their encouragement and advancement. His wife survived him but a few years.
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The issue of their marriage was: Henry Ritter, now living in Siena, Italy; Adelaide, who died a few years after she was born; Edith Emeline, who married Charles C. Stuart, a son of John Mason Stuart, late vice-presi- dent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, and died subsequent to her marriage; Frederick William, who married May Welshman; Julia Catherine, Dora Elizabeth, John Peter, George Butler, Clifford and Gertrude.
Frederick William Ritter, after leaving school, entered the once famous banking house of John J. Cisco & Son, where he was rapidly promoted, and soon became the incumbent of the responsible position of cashier. Having inherited much of his father's talent for business, his value was recognized and appreciated, and when John J. Cisco & Son failed he assisted Lewis May, the assignee, in winding up the affairs of the firm.
About a year later the world-renowned banking house of Brown Broth- ers & Company determined to add a bond department to their business. The most eligible and able man they could find to take charge of this new branch was Mr. Frederick William Ritter. During the ten years that he remained in charge of the bond business of the Brown Brothers he became so thoroughly versed in all classes of securities that his reputation as an adviser in the matter of investments was extensively and favorably known. He remained with Brown Brothers & Company until July 1, 1898, when he resigned his position to become a member of the firm of Floyd-Jones & Robeson. Although he is at present living in Greenwich, Connecticut, most of his life has been passed in Yonkers. His children are Elise, Marie, Frederick William, Jr., and Dorothy.
Julia Catherine Ritter is still unmarried; but Dora Elizabeth is the wife of Professor A. V. Williams Jackson, of Columbia University, New York city.
John Peter Ritter, Jr., commenced his career in the exciting atmosphere of Wall street,-first in the office of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, and later on in the banking house of Fahnestock & Company. From his earliest years, however, he was strongly attracted toward the pursuit of litera- ture, a profession in which he is now industriously engaged.
George Butler Ritter, after completing his education, entered the Chase National Bank as a clerk. The confinement of the position obliged hini to resign on account of ill health, and seek a career in the frontier towns of Dakota. After experiencing great hardships, he was finally caught in the whirl of a cyclone, which blew, not only his house, but all his worldly pos- sessions beyond recovery. In this terrible extremity he displayed remarkable courage. Tramping to the nearest settlement, he procured a horse and cart on credit, and roamed over the plains, collecting buffalo bones to sell for a living. In this occupation he speedily regained his health, and returned east to engage in the banking business again. At present he holds a responsible
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position in the firm of W. D. Barbour & Company. In 1892 he married Miss Helen Burns, and has since resided in the city of Yonkers. They have one child, Roderick Livingston Ritter, born in June, 1898.
Clifford Ritter died in his infancy, on the Briar Cliff Farms; while Ger- trude died in the fifth year of her age, in the family residence at Yonkers.
ROBERT McCORD.
This well known lawyer of Peekskill is one of Westchester county's native sons and a representative of one of her most prominent and honored families, whose identification with her history dates from an early period in the development of the county, the family having been founded here in the spring of 1732, by James McCord, who was born in the highlands of Scot- land in 1688. When only a year old he was taken by his father to Ireland, settling in Stewartstown, county Tyrone, where he grew to manhood and married Sarah McCord, an own cousin. On coming to the New World they located at Scarsdale, Westchester county, New York, and he was the first Presbyterian elder in the county. He was a very strict member of the church and kept the Sabbath holy according to his views, his conscience not even permitting the lighting of a fire on that day if the same should go out. He traveled all over the county, preaching on the Sabbath, as there was no regularly ordained minister in this section at that time. He died in 1759 and was buried at White Plains. In his family were four children, namely: John, Samuel and Mary, all born in Ireland; and Benjamin, who was born in Westchester county in 1741 and died in 1807. The last named was a captain in the British irregular service, and the battle of White Plains, dur- ing the Revolutionary war, was fought upon his farm. He was twice mar- ried, his first wife being Tabitha Appleby, who bore him seven children, namely: James; John, who served for a short time in the Continental army during the Revolution; Miriam, Robert, William, Jordan D. and Benjamin. After the death of the mother of these children he married Catherine De Voe, there being no children by this union.
Of the children of Benjamin and Tabitha (Appleby) McCord, Jordan D. McCord, who was born in 1775 and died in 1829, was the grandfather of our subject. He married Eunice Haines, by whom he had five children: James, Daniel, Isaac, Stephen and Anna. For his second wife he married Rachel Tompkins, and to them were born seven children: Lewis, Robert, Jane, Eunice, William, Amelia and Amanda.
The youngest son of the second marriage was William McCord, the father of our subject. He was born in 1819, throughout life followed farm- ing, and his death occurred in 1894. Politically, he was an old-line Demo-
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crat, and cast his first vote under difficulties, being compelled to walk twenty miles through a rain storm in order to get to the polls. He always prized his privilege of suffrage and sought to use it to advantage. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, and his life was ever in harmony with his professions. He, too, was twice married, his first wife being Lydia A. Knight, by whom he had one child, Josephine. His second union was with Margaret Shear, and to them were born four children: John, Clara F., William S. and Robert.
Robert McCord was born February 2, 1862, and was reared and edu- cated in Peekskill, first attending the public schools of that place and later the military academy, from which he was graduated in 1880. He then commenced reading law with Hon. Edward Wells, of Peekskill, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He now enjoys an extensive practice, mak- ing a specialty of real estate and surrogate practice. Constant study and close application to the details of his profession have made him one of the leading attorneys of the county, and he retains a clientele of so representa- tive a character as to alone stand in evidence of his professional ability and personal popularity.
On the 12th of August, 1886, Mr. McCord was united in marriage with Miss Lucy E. Miller, daughter of Maunsell F. and Alvira A. (Lancaster) Milller, and they now have one child, Margaret. The parents both hold membership in the First Presbyterian church of Peekskill, while socially Mr. McCord belongs to Cortlandt Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., Mount Ararat Encampment, No. 9, in which he has served as past grand and chief patri- arch, and is also a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 467, F. & A. M., of which he is junior warden. He gives his political allegiance to the Democ- racy, and has served as a member of the board of health and a member of the school board for five years, being president of the latter body at the present time and always taking an active interest in educational affairs. He is one of the most progressive citizens of Peekskill and always gives a liberal support to every enterprise for the public good.
FFARRINGTON M. THOMPSON.
The junior member of the firm of Platt & Thompson, White Plains, New York, is one of the ablest lawyers practicing at the Westchester county bar. A man of sound judgment, he manages cases with masterly skill and tact; is a logical reasoner and has a ready command of English, -all of which make his success assured.
Mr. Thompson was born in Putnam county, New York, in the town of Cold Springs, April 14, 1865. His father, Joseph Thompson, was a son of Richard Thompson, and a native of England. On coming to the United
Farmington M. thompson
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States, in 1859, he settled in Putnam county, New York, and being a school- teacher he followed that profession until his death. He married Selina Glover, also a native of England, and a daughter of the Rev. Glover.
The boyhood and youth of our subject was passed in White Plains, to which place he was taken by his parents when only two years old. On leav- ing the public schools he was admitted to the White Plains Academy, and when his school days were over at the age of fourteen years, he entered the postal service under Samuel C. Miller as postmaster, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. He then commenced the study of law in the office of the late Lewis C. Platt, a prominent attorney of White Plains, and after thorough preparation for his chosen profession he was admitted to the bar September 22, 1887, at Brooklyn, New York. Soon after his admission he was made a member of the firm of L. C. & W. P. Platt, and after the death of the senior partner the name was changed to its present form, that of Platt & Thompson. The firm is well known and conducts a large and successful practice in the local, state, supreme and federal courts.
Mr. Thompson as been honored with a number of local offices, the duties of which he has most capably and satisfactorily discharged. On the 26th of August, 1886, he was elected village clerk of White Plains, serving until December 6, 1893, and for two terms he was justice of the peace, fill- ing that office from 1888 to 1896. In November, 1893, he was also elected a school commissioner and most acceptably served in that position for three years. Socially he is a member of White Plains Lodge, No. 473. F. & A. M. He is a man of fine personal appearance and pleasing manner, and is very popular in social circles.
C. WILBER VAIL.
Mr. Vail is the genial and popular proprietor and " mine host " of Hotel Elwood, at Mount Kisco, Westchester county. The hotel building is a new, modern brick structure, erected as recently as August, 1897. It is thor- oughly convenient and " up-to.date " in all of its appointments, and ideas of comfort are inevitably suggested to the traveler who is so fortunate as to sojourn here for a more or less extended period. Mr. Vail has had much experience in his chosen line of business and well understands catering to the needs and wishes of the public. He is enterprising and efficient in all his methods and readily wins friends among his patrons, by reason of his gen- uine desire to please and accommodate them in every reasonable manner.
A son of Harvey and Olivia (Matthews) Vail, our subject was born in Newcastle, Westchester county, New York, February 9, 1866, and is conse- quently in the prime of early manhood and vigor. He received the advant- ages of a common-school education, to which he has added much information
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and general knowledge in later years. At an early age he manifested ability, foresight and judgment beyond his years, and laid the foundations of his future success. For a period of eight years he was connected with the hotel business, in one capacity or another, while mastering the requirements of the same. About two years ago he took charge of the Elwood, which is conveniently and centrally located on Main street. The building is a three- story brick, the lower floor being used for stores.
Mr. Vail is a man of broad and liberal views upon all questions, and in accordance with his convictions he prefers to use his independent judgment in political matters, voting for the man or measure considered by him to be best fitted to receive his support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
WILLIAM D. HUBER.
The family of which the subject of this sketch is a representative, is of German origin. His grandfather, Jacob Huber, accompanied by wife and five children, emigrated from Germany to America, and spent the rest of his life in Pennsylvania and New York states, where he carried on farm- ing operations. He died in Canandaigua, New York, at the age of eighty years. His children were John, William, Jacob and Martha. William Huber, the father of our subject, was born in Germany, and in his youth came with other members of the family to America. For a number of years he was engaged in farming in Yates county, New York. He was a Repub- lican and was a Union soldier in the war of the Rebellion. He died in 1862, while at home on a sick leave, aged forty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Hood, survived him a number of years, and died in 1893 at the age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of five children: Sewell, Albert, John, William D. and Ida. The last named died at the age of twenty-two years.
William D. Huber was born at Seneca Falls, New York, January 13, 1853. In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, and he has followed it ever since he was twenty-one years of age. Since 1891 he has been a resident of Yonkers, where, as a boss carpenter, he has been associated with the firm of Lawrence & Conklin. As a skilled mechanic Mr. Huber is well known, and by his marked ability in the line of work he has chosen he has gained recog- nition by the leaders in his craft. In 1896 he was a delegate to the conven- tion of the Brotherhood Union of Carpenters of America, held at Cleveland, and two years later, in their convention held at New York city, New York, Sep- tember 19 to 29, he received the unanimous vote of that body for the office of vice president, he being the only officer receiving a unanimous vote.
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John Williams, Utica, New York, was elected president. This union repre- sents a membership of about sixty thousand in the United States and Canada. The honor it conferred upon Mr. Huber was indeed fittingly bestowed.
Mr. Huber was a member of the fire department of Canisteo, New York, where he resided previous to his coming to Yonkers, and where he learned his trade.
He was married July 21, 1874, to Miss Mary Winchell, a daughter of John Winchell, and they have six children-Eugene, William, Ida, May, Howard and Alva.
THOMAS OAKLEY.
One of the best known citizens of Mount Vernon is Thomas Oakley, a worthy scion of one of the oldest families in the United States. His immi- grant ancestor settled here about three hundred years ago, coming to these shores from his former home in England. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was one of the early settlers of Westchester county, New York, and his son Thomas, grandfather of Thomas Oakley, was born on the old estate near Mount Vernon. He served in the war of 1812, and at one time was overseer of the poor in this county. He was a strong Federalist in poli- tics, and was a devoted member of the Episcopal church. He died at the age of seventy years, his death resulting from accidental injuries which he sus- tained some time previously. All of his children, four in number, grew to maturity. They were Abijah, Thomas (father of our subject), Hester Ann and Charles M.
Thomas Oakley, the father of our subject, was born on the land now in the possession of the latter, at Mount Vernon. The place was then a farm com- prising several acres. A portion of the place was sold to the Mount Vernon Association, which laid out and founded the city in 1851. Mr. Oakley re- tained a large tract, which has since been divided into lots and much of it sold. For several years he was engaged in buying and selling live stock, and did a prosperous business, selling to the New York markets. Later he was engaged in the butchering business at Yonkers, but his last years were spent, as his first had been, on the old homestead in Mount Vernon. At the time- of his death his wealth was estimated at one hundred and seventy-five thou- sand dollars. He was always very much interested in educational matters, and served as school trustee. He was a Republican in politics, and at one time was the lieutenant of a company of home guards. A zealous Christian, he was long one of the leading members of the Episcopal church. He died at the age of seventy-six years, October 10, 1890. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Parker, is still living, and is now about sixty-six years old. They were the parents of six children, namely: Charles, Thomas, Morgan
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G., William P., Mary Ann Straub, and Hester, who is the wife of David Switz, a practicing lawyer and ex-corporation attorney of Mount Vernon.
Thomas Oakley was born in Mount Vernon, June 18, 1860, and received his education in the schools of this place. Upon completing his studies he engaged in clerking for a short time, and then turned his attention to learn- ing the carpenter's trade, which line of business he followed successfully for several years. For a few years he devoted his time and energies to the manufacture of confectionery. Of late years he has had no other interest save the development and sale of his real estate-the remnant of the old farm. He still owns about four acres, most of it being divided into lots. Mr. Oakley's knowledge of the building business is of great benefit to him now, and he personally superintends the construction of the residences which he caused to be erected upon his property. He resides in the fine old home- stead at No. 88 Lincoln avenue. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been active in the party, frequently attending conventions of the same as a delegate.
December 26, 1882, Mr. Oakley married Marietta, a daughter of John and Mary (Brewer) Thurton. Mr. Thurton was formerly one of the leading citizens of Mount Vernon, but is now a resident of Yonkers, New York. The three children born to our subject and wife are: Thomas Edward, Jennie May and Henrietta.
RUDODPH BOEHMER.
Mr. Boehmer is successfully engaged in business at Mount Kisco, as a wholesale dealer in bottled beer, soda water and bottled goods in general. The business was established by his father, Rudolph Boehmer, Sr., in 1871, and by handling the best goods and by fair and honorable dealings with their many patrons, the firm succeeded in building up a large and profitable busi- ness, giving employment to several men in the different branches of the trade. The present proprietor has practically grown up in the business, early becoming familiar with every department of the same, and his extensive acquaintance throughout Westchester and Putnam counties is of much bene- fit to him in a business way.
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