USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 44
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This period of his life, however, showed the real caliber of the man. Where a person of less resolute will and little determination would have been utterly crushed by such misfortunes, he rose to the occasion; and with un- conquered spirit resolved to win back his lost possessions. Through this whole period of trial and through all his effort at recovery his son, Arthur Baldwin, has been his devoted helper and efficient support, and the Waring manufactory of Yonkers now stands as a monument to the undaunted enter- prise and honorable dealing of father and son. At the time of the failure Mr. Waring entered into a large contract with the state of Massachusetts for the employment of its convict labor, left Yonkers, located near Boston, and, undaunted, began business anew. His energy in his new field was crowned with deserved success. In 1884, having filled his contract, he returned to Yonkers and purchased the large property on Vark street, built during the Civil war for the manufacture of arms, and originally known as the "Starr Arms Works." This property he thoroughly renovated and stocked with the most improved machinery used in the manufacture of hats. Workmen were employed, and soon he was in the active field of business, winning again the success which once crowned his labors. Possessing an accurate and compre- hensive knowledge of the business in all its branches, and in every detail as well, he knows how to control his interests and make the efforts of the em- ployes bring the best returns. He is also the inventor of several important processes now extensively used in hatmaking, including a hat-sizing machine, from which he derives a large income.
Mr. Waring was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette P. Baldwin, daugh-
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ter of the late Anson Baldwin, who for many years was a leading manufact- urer and active citizen of Yonkers. Ten children were born of this union: Arthur B .; Grace, wife of Lewis Roberts; John T., deceased; John T., also named for the father; Cornelia B., Pierre C., Susan B., Anson, deceased, James Palmer and Janet. The members of the family are prominently identi- fied with the social life of Yonkers, and, being connected with St. John's Episcopal church, have contributed much to the church's influence and use- fulness.
In his political associations Mr. Waring is a Republican, having been a stanch advocate of the party since its organization. He was a firm sup- porter of the Union during the Civil war, and in 1861 was elected president of the village of Yonkers. During that year war meetings were held in the town and a large number of men enlisted for the army. The faith of the town was pledged by resolutions passed at these meetings for the support of the families of the enlisting men while they were away from home; and they were about moving to the field when it occurred to them to doubt whether the pledge of the popular meetings was a sufficient security for the care of those whom they were about to leave behind. At once they declared their unwillingness to proceed unless the president of the village would personally become security for the fulfillment of the pledge. This Mr. Waring promptly did, and so strong was the confidence of the men and their families in him that the difficulty vanished and the recruits went out to the service of their country. Mr. Ethan Flagg accompanied Mr. Waring the next day in the work of looking up the families of the seventy-five men who had gone, and found that the town was left with the care of sixty-five such families upon its hands.
Mr. Waring is recognized as one of the most able busines men of Yonk- ers. His diligence, indomitable energy and undaunted perseverance have won him a prosperity that has numbered him among its most substantial citi- zens, and he has not only advanced his individual interests, but has done much toward promoting the general welfare by encouraging trade and com- merce. His career, both public and private, is marked by the strictest in- tegrity and faithfulness to every trust reposed in him. The record of his life is unclouded by shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He is known as an honorable man, a pleasant, social companion and a devoted husband and father.
H. R. MARSDEN.
Yonkers, New York, counts among its self-made, enterprising business men and leading citizens the gentleman whose name forms the heading of this sketch, H. R. Marsden.
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Mr. Marsden is a son of C. P. and Mary (De Voe) Marsden, and was born in New York city, July 9, 1860. His father was a sea captain who for a number of years had his home in New York city and from there removed to Yonkers, seeking a quiet place, away from the city influence, where he could bring up his family. At the time of their removal to Yonkers H. R. was sixteen years of age. He had received his education in the public schools of New York, and on coming to Yonkers at once accepted a position in the office of the Otis Elevator Works. He was employed here for five years, up to 1883, when he was transferred to the New York city office, with which he has since been identified. In due time promotion came, and he arose to a place of prominence and influence in the firm. He is now at the head of the shipping, purchasing, order and repair departments. Con- scientious, careful and painstaking in his work, he has merited his promotion and it is no more than just to say of him that he has never betrayed a trust reposed in him.
Mr. Marsden is prominent and active in various social and fraternal or- ganizations. He is a Mason of high degree, maintaining membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery and also in the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Loyal Additional Benefit Association, the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs, the City Club of Yonkers, and the Veteran Association of the Fourth Separate Company, National Guard of the State of New York, having been a member of the last named organization seven years.
Mr. Marsden was married in 1887 to Miss Cora B. Lyle, daughter of William H. Lyle, of Newark, New Jersey. They have two children, Ethel ·G. and Florence E. Marsden.
MERRITT WRIGHT BARNUM, M. D.
Dr. Barnum is one of the most successful physicians and surgeons of Westchester county, and a prominent resident of Sing Sing. He is a native of Westchester county, born August 23, 1867, and is a son of Dr. Stansbury L. Barnum, of New Fairfield, Connecticut, and a grandson of Dr. David Barnum, of Connecticut. The father of our subject, who was a soldier of the Civil war, died at the age of fifty-three years, leaving a widow, who in her maidenhood was Miss Phœbe Wright, a daughter of Merritt Wright, a repre- sentative of an old Westchester county family. Politically, Dr. Stansbury L. Barnum was a Republican. In his family were three children: Merritt Wright, of this review; David Lane, at home; and Stansbury, deceased.
The early education of our subject was acquired in the schools of West- chester county. He attended the Chappaqua Mountain Institute, and subse-
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quently entered Cornell University, where he pursued a scientific course, graduating in 1888 with the degree of B. S. On leaving college he went abroad to complete his education, and in 1891 was graduated in medicine at the Jena University, Germany. Returning to this country, he entered at once upon the practice of medicine, and for a time was assistant surgeon in the United States Navy, being stationed in 1894 upon the ill-fated govern- ment ship Kearsarge, which that year made a cruise to Central America, the West Indies, and the Caribbean sea. In 1895 the Doctor located at Sing Sing, and it was not long before he had built up a large and paying practice among the best class of people.
On the 29th of March, 1897, Dr. Barnum was united in marriage with Miss Madeleine Hawley, a daughter of C. E. Hawley, of New York city. Fraternally, the Doctor holds membership in Hope Lodge, F. & A. M., of Washington, D. C. He enjoys the warm friendship of all his associates.
JOHN A. SCHAFMEISTER, M. D.
One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend his energies is that of the physician. A most scrupulous. preliminary training is demanded and a nicety of judgment but little under- stood by the laity. Our subject is well fitted for the profession which he has- chosen as a life work, and his skill and ability have won for him a lucrative practice in Sing Sing, New York, where he has been located for the past ten years.
The Doctor is a native of Connecticut, born at Hartford, October 26, 1856, and is a son of John Bernard Schafmeister, who was born in Germany, but reared and educated in this country. He was a mechanic by trade, and died at the age of sixty-four years. During his boyhood and youth Dr. Schaf- meister pursued his studies in the public schools of Meriden, Connecticut, and later commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. C. J. Mansfield, of that place. Subsequently he entered the Homeopathic Col- lege of Medicine, New York city, where he was graduated in the class of 1889, and in July of that year he opened an office in Sing Sing, where he soon succeded in securing a good practice, which has constantly increased. He is a member of the Westchester Medical Society.
In August, 1883, Dr. Schafmeister was united in marriage with Miss Jes- sie E. Collyer, daughter of Ezra B. Collyer, of New Haven, Connecticut. She was a lady of education and refinement, and her untimely death occurred in 1884. Politically, the Doctor is a supporter of the Republican party, and in 1895 he was the candidate of his party for the office of county coroner. Fraternally, he is a member of several different societies, including the Inde-
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pendent Order of Foresters, the Red Men of America, Masonic order, the Mystic Shrine, Knights of Pythias, and the German Aid Association of Sing Sing. The Doctor is also the medical director of the various organizations just mentioned.
JAMES T. BARRETT.
Among the attractive places at Jefferson Valley, New York, is the Osceola Lake Hotel, a popular resort, containing over thirty rcoms, situated on the west side of the lake, high above the surrounding country and commanding a magnificent view.
The genial proprietor of this hotel is James T. Barrett, a gentleman who is well known and whose popularity is as wide as his acquaintance. He was born in Kent township, Putnam county, New York, June 22, 1866, son of Truman R. and Emma (McDonald) Barrett, both natives of New York state, the former born in Putnam county and the latter in Red Hook, Dutchess county. Truman R. Barrett is a veteran of the Civil war. He has been a farmer all his life, carrying on operations in Putnam county, and as a sub- stantial and worthy citizen stands high in the community in which he lives. In his religious views he is broad and liberal, and while he is a consistent Christian he is not identified with any church. He and his wife are the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, and of this large family all are still living except two daughters, one having died at the age of six, the other at twenty-two.
James T. Barrett was reared on his father's farm, three miles from Lake Mahopac, in Putnam county. In 1897 he took charge of the Osceola Lake Hotel, and has conducted it successfully ever since. He was married April 23, 1889, to Miss Susan Smith, daughter of Abel and Amy (Potter) Smith. Mrs. Barrett was reared and educated in Putnam county.
Like his father, Mr. Barrett casts his political influence and vote with the Democratic party. Fraternally he is identified with Yorktown Lodge, No. 191, I. O. O. F., at Yorktown, New York.
GEORGE J. PURDY.
This representative citizen of Yorktown, Westchester county, New York, was born here July 28, 1868, son of John V. and Harriet C. (Tompkins) Purdy.
For more than a century the Purdys have been residents of this country. Thomas H. and Serena Purdy, the great-grandparents of our subject, came from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to the United States in 1782, and located in Yorktown, Westchester county, New York, about two miles west from York-
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town Heights. They had one child at that time and three were afterward born to them. By occupation Thomas H. Purdy was a farmer, and shortly after coming here he purchased three hundred and fifty acres of land from the Van Cortlandt tract. He had but little means at the time of his coming here, but he had plenty of energy, and by persistent efforts and good manage- ment he succeeded in accumulating a considerable competency. His children in order of birth were Thomas, William, Isaac and Andrew. The last named died when about thirty years of age. Thomas, the eldest, lived to advanced years and was a prominent factor in the political affairs of the county. Like other members of the family he was a Whig, and he filled several local offices, such as selectman, commissioner, etc. He married Miss Pugsley, daughter of William Pugsley, and reared a large family, which scattered throughout the west. William, the second son, married Miss Mary Horn. He remained in this section of the country for several years and then removed to the western part of New York state, where he accumulated a large amount of wealth. He had three children.
Isaac, the third child among the number named, was the grandfather of our subject. He lived on a part of the old homestead until his death, which occurred at an advanced age. . He married Miss Esther Vail, a native of this county and a daughter of John Vail. They had four children, John V., William H., Edmond L. and Antoinette. The father of this family was a prominent man in the political affairs of the county, filling the offices of commissioner, assessor, etc., while he also took an active interest in educa- tional matters, and for years served as school trustee. Farming was his life work, and by his industry and careful management he succeeded in amassing considerable wealth. William H., the second son of Isaac, was married, at about the age of fifty years, to Miss Amelia Purdy. By occupa- tion he was a farmer, was a "hail fellow well met," and his greatest fault was his generosity. Edmond L., the third son, now owns and resides upon the old Purdy homestead in Yorktown, his age at this writing being seventy years. He, too, has figured as a local officer, the offices of excise commis- sioner, collector, assessor and road supervisor having been filled by him, his efforts always being directed with reference to the public good. He married Miss Josephine Horton, and to them were born four children. The daughter, Antoinette, married William H. Horton, of Westchester connty. She died in middle life, leaving three sons, two of whom reside in Iowa, the other in Westchester county.
John V. Purdy, the eldest son of Isaac, was the father of our subject. He was born in 1817, and died in 1893. He was a man of quiet, domestic nature, and, like his forefathers, followed agricultural pursuits. He took little interest in political matters more than to cast an intelligent vote, and
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always voted with the Democratic party. He was a Baptist, an active mem- ber and liberal supporter of the church, and for thirty years was a trustee and deacon of the Yorktown Baptist church. He married Miss Harriet C. Tompkins, daughter of Amos and Eliza (Benedict) Tompkins, who was born on the same farm where she lived and died, her birth occurring in 1821, and her death in December, 1893. She, too, was an active and influential mem- ber of the Baptist church. They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, namely: Cyrus T., who was educated at Sing Sing Academy, and who married Miss Fannie Bennett, has been in railroad employ and a resident of New York city for a period of twenty-five years; Amos L., who married Miss Harriet Lounsberry, went west in 1881, and trace of him has been lost by his relatives; Annie E. is the wife of Theron B. Dean, of Westchester county; and George J. is the immediate subject of this review.
George J. Purdy was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the Chappaqua Mountain Institute, where he graduated in 1877. Returning home that year, he took charge of the farm for his father and conducted the same for several years, until 1894. In the meantime he had become interested in the insurance business, and in 1894 he severed his connections with the farm in order to devote the whole of his time to insurance. He represents a number of companies-fire, life and accident-and has established a good business. He deals also in real estate.
Mr. Purdy is a Republican. He has held the office of town clerk, retir- ing in 1898, after a service of eight years. He has been a member of the town and county committees and has served as delegate to various conven- tions. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and has taken the higher degrees of both orders. He has passed all the chairs in the I. O. O. F.
Mr. Purdy was married in 1881 to Miss Carrie C. Purdy, a native of New York city and a daughter of S. L. and Sarah Jane Purdy.
WALTER T. BELL.
That the plenitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to. be considered as a most grateful and beneficial deprivation; for where ambi- tion is satisfied and every ultimate aim realized-if such is possible-there must follow individual apathy. Effort will cease, accomplishment be pros- trate and creative talent waste its energies in supine inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satiety lay ever in the future, and they have labored consecutively and have not failed to find in each transition stage an incentive for further effort. Walter T. Bell is one whose laudable ambition has made him one of the active,.
Walter J. Belle
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enterprising business men of New Rochelle, where for thirty-two years he has been accounted as a leading factor in mercantile circles.
A native of England, he was born in Norwich, in April, 1846, a son of John and Ann (Norton) Bell. By trade his father was a weaver and followed that vocation throughout his active business career. He and his wife spent their entire lives in their native land, and now sleep in one of the cemeteries there. Their son Walter acquired his education in the public schools of Nor- wich, continuing his studies until his sixteenth year, when he went to Lon- don, where he was employed by his uncle, Ayling, who was engaged in the photographic business. For a year he remained with that uncle and subse- quently was engaged in various lines of business for a time. In 1866 he sailed from London for the port of New York, and on his arrival in the American metropolis secured employment with a firm handling wire goods. After a few months, however, he came to New Rochelle, on the invitation of William Longstaff, who offered him a clerkship in his store, which had been established in 1836. Mr. Longstaff was engaged in dealing in stoves, ranges and furnaces, and Mr. Bell remained with him for several years, after which he was employed by the Westchester Fire Insurance Company for four years. On the death of Mr. Longstaff he was employed by the executor of the estate to carry on the store, and on the death of Mrs. Longstaff he formed a partnership with Myron Boyd and purchased the stock. A year later, by mutual consent, this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Bell becoming sole pro- prietor. He has since carried on business alone, and has a large stock of stoves, ranges and furnaces, and also has a large plumbing trade. He always has the most modern and improved goods in his line, and his earnest desire to please his patrons, his reliability and courteous treatment have secured him a large and constantly increasing business, from which he derives an excellent income. He has also made judicious investments in real estate and owns some valuable property in New Rochelle. He is president of the local board of the Co-operative Bank, of New York city, and president of the Master Plumbers' Association, of New Rochelle.
In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bell and Miss Jennie Bar- rett, a native of London, England, and a daughter of John Barrett. She came to America in early girlhood and by her marriage she had nine chil- dren, but five died in early life. Those living are Grace, Walter L., Hattie and Daisy, the son now being associated with his father in business. Their home is a commodious residence and forms the center of a cultured society circle. Mr. Bell and his family are members of the Trinity Episcopal church, and he is connected, socially, with Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 228, Royal Arch Masons; and Beth- lehem Commandery, No. 53, K. T. Of the lodge he has served as worship- 25
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ful master and of the Commandery as eminent commander. He is also a member of Huguenot Council, No. 397, Royal Arcanum, in which he has served three years as its regent, and he is also past chief ranger of Court Robin Hood, No. 8058, Ancient Order of Foresters. Success comes not ot the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and cheerful alacrity, and therein lies the secret of Mr. Bell's prosperity., He found in his adopted land the opportunity he sought, and he hastened to make the most of it. With accuracy, energy and resolu- tion he managed his business interests, and when prosperity came to him it was as the merited reward of earnest, honest labor.
WILLIAM E. REYNOLDS.
Among the well known and substantial men of Westchester county, New York, is William E. Reynolds, whose postoffice address is Croton Lake. He was born on the old Reynolds homestead in Westchester county, April 23, 1836, the son of Lockwood Reynolds. The Reynolds family is of Eng- lish origin. Three brothers bearing the name came from England to America in the celebrated Mayflower, and from one of theni is the subject of our sketch descended. Lockwood Reynolds married Hester Baker, daughter of Samuel and Ann Baker, and to them were born ten children, namely: Stephen B., Samuel B., William E., Josephine, deceased, Thurston, Irene Barnes, a resi- dent of Sing Sing, New York, Anna Dunscomb, Ella Fowler, of Brooklyn, New York, Lockwood, Jr., at the old homestead, and James, deceased. The father died at the old home place at the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Barnes, at Sing Sing. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
William E. Reynolds during his boyhood attended the public schools, and for ten years during his youth and early manhood was engaged in the draying business in New York city. Returning home from the city, he pur- chased the I. Flewellen farm, which until this had been in the possession of the Flewellen family from the time of the Revolutionary war. This farm consists of forty-five acres of well cultivated land, ten acres of which are devoted to agricultural purposes, while the greater portion comprises one of the finest orchards in the county. His cider product alone nets him about one thousand dollars annually. He has a Booner & Boschert patent cider mill and cider press, with a capacity of fifty barrels in ten hours. He has made two thousand barrels of cider in one season. Mr. Reynolds also owns much other valuable real estate. In the village of Ardsley he has six hun- dred lots and buildings, and he also has realty in Brooklyn.
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Mr. Reynolds was married in 1865 to Miss Rebecca Buffet, of Harting- ton, L. I., daughter of John and Rebecca Buffet. They have had three children, namely: Fred B., living at home, married Miss Lida Reynolds, and they have one child, Edith; Edward K., at home; and Ida C., who died at the age of twenty years.
Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.
THOMAS OLIVER.
The history of Thomas Oliver is the history of one whose whole mature life has been devoted to military affairs. He has just cause to be proud of his record as a brave defender of the Union and as a member of the state troops of New York, who nobly assist in the maintenance of the peace and order so essential to progress and the security and happiness of citizens.
Orphaned at an early age, Mr. Oliver has largely been the architect of his own fortune, and has made the best use of his opportunities. Born April 2, 1844, in Bath, England, he is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Hobbs) Oliver. The father was an upholsterer and furniture dealer, and his death occurred when he was but forty-nine years of age. The mother had died about a year previously, and thus Thomas, a lad of about nine years was left to face the problems of life without the loving care and sympathy of parents. When he was three or four years older he went to New York city, and for a short time worked for a brother of his mother, as a painter.
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