USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 46
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In 1878 Mr. Blakeman married Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Rev. James Hildreth, of New York city, and to them have been born a son and daughter-William Hildreth and Mary E. Mr. Blakeman is a pronounced Republican in his political views, and is a close student of the issues of the day, the public policy, and the momentous questions which affect the welfare of the nation. Socially, he is connected with the military order of the Loyal Legion, with George Washington Post, G. A. R., and the Union League and Army and Navy Clubs, of New York city. He has served as an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Mount Vernon since its organization, and has been a member and president of the board of education for a number of
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years. His support is earnestly given to all measures tending toward the intellectual and moral advancement of the city and the betterment of his fellow man. His broad humanitarian principles prompt him to active service in behalf of all elevating movements and influences, and the schools of the city are especially indebted to him for effective service in their behalf. In private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character, deference for the opinions of others, kindness and geniality. His conversation is enlivened by wit and repartee that make him a fascinating companion, and in all circles he is very popular.
JOHN W. LOWNSBURY.
Now we have the pleasure to mention a citizen who might be termed most emphatically the " father of Port Chester,"-at least in several senses of that word,-since he is the oldest and most prominent business man of the place, as well as the oldest and most prominent Republican of the county. He is indeed a representative "old-timer."
He was born April 29, 1825, at Flushing, Long Island. His father, Edwin Lownsbury, was a native of Stamford, Connecticut, where he passed all his life excepting a few years spent on a farm near Flushing; was an agriculturist during life, and finally died at the age of sixty-four years. In his political principles he was a Whig, but was not publicly active in political affairs. For a time he was a captain of militia at Stamford. Thomas Lownsbury, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Bedford, Westchester county, New York, and followed the trade of hatter at Stamford for many years, and was probably about fifty years of age at the time of his death. The maiden name of the mother of the subject of this sketch was Nancy Peck. She was a native of Stamford, and departed this life at about sixty- five years of age, leaving five children-three sons and two daughters-all of whom are now deceased excepting John W. and a sister.
Mr. John W. Lownsbury, whose name heads this sketch, was an infant when the family changed their residence from Flushing to Stamford. When thirteen years of age, in March, 1839, he went to New York city, where he was clerk in a grocery at the corner of Broadway and Pike street until February 7, 1842, when he came to Port Chester and learned the trades of blacksmithing and carriage manufacture, of William Stivers, serving an apprenticeship of four years. Purchasing the shops of Mr. Stivers, he engaged in business there for himself, and was conspicuously successful in its management until September, 1851, when he sold the establishment and engaged in the grocery business, having saved up money sufficient to purchase a half interest in the grocery store of his brother-in-law, Daniel M. Redfield.
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At the end of about three years he bought also Mr. Redfield's interest. In 1860 he admitted into partnership his brother, and this relation continued for about twenty years, when he purchased the interest of his brother, and then continued alone until he admitted his sons into partnership, to whom in turn he at length sold out.
Mr. Lownsbury was one of the organizers of the Port Chester Water Company, Port Chester Reading-rooms, First National Bank, Westchester Fire Insurance Company, the fire company of Port Chester, is now president of the Port Chester Water Company, of the Port Chester reading-rooms; vice president of the First National Bank, a director of the People's Bank at Mount Vernon and National Bank Mont Kisco, a director of the Westchester Fire Insurance Company, etc., -indeed he has been a prime mover in nearly all the public movements of his town. He has been grandly successful both in business and in public matters. He is a self-made man and in compara- tively early life accumulated much property.
He has been an active Republican ever since the organization of the party in his town, in 1856; in fact he was the prime mover of the organiza- tion, which took place at his store, which has ever since been the head- quarters of Republicanism for the whole county. He has never missed a canvass since he arrived at voting age. In 1860 he was elected supervisor, on the Republican ticket in a strong Democrat district, and served one term, when he refused to have the office any longer. He has been president of the village, and a trustee for two terms, when he refused to serve longer.
In respect to the fraternal orders we may mention that Mr. Lownsbury is a member of Armor Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M. He was made a member of the order in 1846.
In matrimony he was united with Miss Jane R. Redfield, of Port Chester, and they have had four sons: George R., who died in January, 1888; Daniel M .; Herbert S., and, Charles E., who now owns the old store and is still running it in his father's name.
ADOLPHUS TOMPKINS.
Among the well known and prosperous citizens of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is this gentleman, who is most worthy of representation in this volume, which records the annals of many of the leading business men and residents of Westchester county. For the past thirty years he has made his home in this place and has been intimately associated with the development and improvement of the city.
The birth of Mr. Tompkins took place in Putnam county, this state, May 16, 1849. He is one of the six sons of Beldin Tompkins, who was a
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contractor and builder and was a millwright by trade, working at these occu- pations during his entire mature life. He was a much respected business man and citizen of his community, and though he discharged his duties as a voter, his preference being for the nominees of the Democratic party, he was not an office-seeker, nor did he aspire to leadership in public affairs. He was summoned to his reward at the close of a busy and useful career, being then in his sixty-sixth year. To himself and estimable wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Curry, nine children were born, namely: Martin, Joseph, Moses, Adolphus, George B., Lucinda, Phœbe, Jennie and Hosea.
The early days of our subject passed quietly and uneventfully in his native county. He had but very limited advantages in the way of an educa- tion, but he was of an alert, active mind, and readily mastered any subject to which he gave his attention. When he was eighteen years of age he com- menced work as a carpenter, and from that time onward earned his own livelihood, unaided by others. The years rolled by, and, as a result of his well applied energy and unremitting effort, he found himself well off from a financial point of view. Now, in middle life, he possesses considerable valu- able property and a competence for old age. Following his father's example, he is a Democrat, and for twelve years held the position of road commis- sioner. He takes commendable interest in public matters and uses his influence for the betterment of his neighborhood and city. Socially, he is a member of Croton Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., at Peekskill.
On the 23d of February, 1870, Mr. Tompkins married Miss Alvina Outhouse, of Croton. Mrs. Tompkins is a daughter of Daniel and Phœbe (Maynard) Outhouse, natives of Croton. To the marriage of our subject and wife four daughters and one son have been born, namely: Anna Purdy, Ella, Lavina, Laura May and Adolphus. The family are members of the Methodist church, and are active in various kinds of religious and benevolent enterprises.
WILLIAM G. VALENTINE.
William Gilbert Valentine, a well known attorney of Sing Sing and a prominent representative of the Westchester bar, was born in New York city, September 14, 1841, and belongs to an old and honored family which was founded in this county as early as 1652. His father, Abraham Gilbert Val- entine, was born here in 1806, and was the son of Abraham and Hannah (Briggs) Valentine, the latter a daughter of one of the Revolutionary heroes. On reaching man's estate Abraham G. Valentine married Miss Jane Bates, also a native of Westchester county, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Abraham B., William Gilbert, Charles E. (a merchant of New York city), and Hannah Edna, wife of Dr. John C. Minor. The father
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died of cholera, in 1849. He was a man of the highest honor, was kind and considerate at all times and under all circumstances, was a faithful member of the Episcopal church, and was a Whig in political sentiment.
Reared in New York city, William G. Valentine obtained his early edu- cation in its public schools, and later entered Columbia College, where he was graduated with the class of 1875. On the 15th of May of the same year he was admitted to the bar, and has since successfully engaged in the prac- tice of his chosen profession. He is a man of deep research and careful investigation, and his skill and ability have won him a liberal patronage. Prominence at the bar comes through merit alone, and the high position which he has attained attests his superiority.
Mr. Valentine was married at Peekskill, New York, in 1870, to Miss Christina M. Seabury, the daughter of James L. Seabury, of the firm of San- ford, Treslow & Company, of Peekskill, and six children have been born of this union: C. Louise, wife of F. H. Bingham, of Sing Sing; William S .; Irvin N., a law student; Harry, an assistant civil engineer; Leonide J., and Edna May.
In his political affiliations Mr. Valentine is a Republican, and he has often served as a delegate to the conventions of his party, while for two terms he filled the office of justice of the peace. In his fraternal relations he is prominently identified with the ancient and honored institution of Free- masonry, in the York Rite of the same holding membership in the blue lodge, in Concord Chapter, R. A. M., and in Westchester Commandery, K. T .; while in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite he has advanced to the thirty-second degree, being, therefore, a member of the consistory of S. P. R. S. Mr. Valentine and his family hold membership in the Protestant Episco- pal church.
LYMAN COBB, JR.
Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is he whose lines of life are cast in harmony there- with. In talents and in character Mr. Cobb is a worthy scion of his race. Though his life has been one rather of modest reserve than of ambitious self- seeking he has shown himself a peer of the brightest and most enterprising business men of his section of the state, for he richly inherited the gifts of in- tellect of a family whose name is known throughout the world in connection with the educational interests of the land. He is now an important factor in financial circles in Yonkers, and his connection with the intellectual, political and banking interests of the city has conserved the public good in no incon- siderable degree.
A native of the Empire state, he was born in Caroline, Tompkins county,
Lyman Cobb, Jr.
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September 18, 1826, and is a son of the eminent Lyman Cobb, the author of numerous school-books whose circulation may be estimated by millions. This celebrated lexicographer was a native of Lenox, Massachusetts, whence he removed to New York city, where the greater part of his life was spent in the preparation of the works which brought him a lasting and well deserved fame. His text-books met the need of simple, practical yet complete treat- ises on the various subjects which form the basis of an education that will fit men and women for the responsible duties of life, and they therefore received the endorsement of the most capable educators throughout the country. On the 7th of April, 1822, Lyman Cobb, Sr., was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Chambers, of Caroline, Tompkins county, New York, and they be- came the parents of eight children: Sarah Jane, the eldest, was born in Rochester, New York, March 20, 1823, became the wife of Rev. William C. Duncan, D.D., July 1, 1846, and died on the 7th of July, 1847. The others in order of birth are as follows: Eleanor Mack, who was born in Berkshire, Tioga county, April 23, 1825, married the Rev. Joseph W. Pierson, and died October 11, 1851; Lyman, of Yonkers; Hannah Louise, who was born Au- gust 13, 1828, married Professor David H. Crittenden, and her death occur- red in October, 1886; George Whitney, who was born in New York, Octo- ber II, 1835; William Henry, born June 12, 1837, died August 4, 1852; Charles Frederick, born December 3, 1848; and Eugene Wheaton, born October 16, 1851, died October 4, 1852. After a long life of activity and usefulness, Lyman Cobb, the father of this family, died in Colesburg, Potter county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1864, in his sixty-fifth year, his birth hav- ing occurred September 18, 1800. His remains were interred in the ceme- tery in that village, but the influence of his work lives on in the lives of many who benefited by his labors in the interest of intellectual advancement.
Lyman Cobb, Jr., spent his early life in New York and in his young manhood assisted his father in the preparation of numerous educational works, but his close application to business undermined his health, and he was obliged to seek the benefit of country air and life. Accordingly he removed to Yonkers, and for two years occupied the position of bookkeeper for Marshall Lefferts, a prominent business man and colonel of the famous Seventh Regiment of New York. During that time his labors embraced the keeping of five distinct sets of books, a task too onerous for any one man, so he turned his attention to educational work and for three years taught private school. During this time his intellectual and moral worth had won the recognition of his fellow townsmen, who honored him by election to public office. He was first chosen to the position of village clerk, in which capacity he served for seven years, while for sixteen years he was justice of the peace, having charge of all the civil and criminal business of the office 26
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during the greater part of that time. He discharged his duties with strict impartiality, and his long continuance in office indicates in an unmistakable degree the confidence and trust reposed in him.
For many years Mr. Cobb has been connected with the banking interests of Yonkers, and to his efforts is due in no small degree the creditable stand- ing of one of the leading financial institutions in Westchester county. In 1862 he was elected trustee and secretary of the Yonkers Savings Bank, which position he held for three years, when he resigned in order to accept the office of assistant cashier, and in 1867 was elected cashier, which is his present relation. He is recognized as one of the most able business men of the city, and his sagacity and sound judgment have brought him success; but while his diligence, indomitable energy and undaunted perseverance have numbered him among the substantial citizens, he has not only advanced his individual interests, but has done much to promote the general welfare. His life has ever been actuated by the highest motives and governed by broad humanitarian principles. A consistent member of the Episcopal church, in which he was ordained deacon in 1869, he is yet in sympathy with all Chris- tian denominations and has the broadest charity for those who differ from him in belief. He has nevertheless labored most earnestly for the upbuild- ing of the church with which he is identified, and established a mission church in Yonkers. His connection with the city hospital as chaplain and the daily service conducted by him through many years show his active interest in the cause of philanthropy. He has long been an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association, and has served as its president. The most an- cient of all the benevolent fraternities finds in him a worthy representative. He was for three years worshipful master of Rising Star Lodge, No. 450, A. F. & A. M., and is a charter member of Nepperhan Lodge, No. 736; was the first high priest of Nepperhan Chapter, No. 177, R. A. M .; is a charter member and was thrice illustrious master of Nepperhan Council, R. & S. M .; is a charter member and was the first eminent commander of Yonkers Com- mandery, No. 47, K. T., in 1869, and has served as such at various intervals for ten years, being now the incumbent of that office. He has been treas- urer of both the council and the lodge. He is also a life member of New York Lodge of Perfection, 16°; New York Council Princes of Jerusalem, 16°; New York Order of Rose Croix, 18°; New York Consistory, 32º; Grand Chapter, R. A. M .; Grand Council, R. & S. M., and Grand Commandery, K. T. He is a most valued member of the fraternity, and enjoys the high regard of his brethren of this ancient and honored craft.
On the 4th of November, 1845, Mr. Cobb was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Drake, of Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York, and to them were born nine children, five of whom died in early life. Rafaelle,
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who was born January 3, 1850, married Martha C. East, by whom he has two children, Cornelia Willis and Martha Rebekah. Francis Eugene, who was born September 14, 1852, wedded Miss Katharine B. Mann, of Watkins, New York, by whom he has two children, Carolyn Schuyler and Margaret Louise. Minnie Putnam was born March 17, 1857. Frederic Lyman, born October 20, 1862, married Eva Boyd, of Yonkers, by whom he has five children, -Caroline Otis, Bessie, Hazel, Frederic Lyman, Jr., and Evelyn Hinman. The only surviving daughter, Winnie, died in May, 1886. Two years previously to that time Mr. Cobb, accompanied by his wife, daughter and youngest son, went abroad and visited the various places of historic and modern interest in a number of the European countries. His devotion to his family has ever been most marked, and he has counted no sacrifice too great or labor too arduous if thereby he could promote the happiness and real wel- fare of wife and children. Endowed by nature with a strong character, he was so surrounded in his childhood that his latent powers were developed and strengthened and he became a successful business man, also possessed of a broad sympathy and charity. To-day he is not more honored on account of the enviable position which he occupies in business circles than on account of the many kindly deeds of his life which have ever been quietly and unostentatiously performed.
HENRY W. BISHOFF.
No foreign element has become a more important part of our American citizenship than that furnished by Germany. The emigrants from that land have brought with them to the New World the stability, enterprise and per- severance characteristic of their people and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of that country. Mr. Bishoff is a representative of this class. He came to the United States a poor boy, hop- ing to benefit his financial condition, and his dreams of the future were more than realized. He occupied a prominent place in the business circles of Westchester county, being extensively engaged in the manufacture of ladies', misses' and children's shoes.
Mr. Bishoff was born in Minden, Prussia, Germany, November 13, 1834, a son of William and Wilhelmina (Steckam) Bishoff. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in that country in 1841, but his mother's death occurred in Westchester county, New York, in 1872. In their family were four children: William, deceased, who was a hotel proprietor in New York city; Henry W., our subject, who also is deceased; Christopher, who is now living retired in New York city; and Wilhelmina, deceased.
The subject of this sketch spent the first twenty years of his life in his
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native land, where he was interested in the grocery business, first as a clerk and later as proprietor of a store. Crossing the Atlantic he came to West- chester county, New York, in January, 1862, and purchased a hotel at Chap- paqua, conducting the same successfully for about five years. He also filled the position of ticket agent for the Harlem Railroad at that place in 1863, 1864 and 1865. Selling his hotel in 1867 he embarked in the shoe business in company with R. Ferrington and William Bird, under the firm name of Ferrington, Bishoff & Bird, having purchased a small plant at Pleasantville, which they removed to Chappaqua. At the end of about eight years Mr. Bishoff purchased the interests of his partners and carried on operations alone for three or four years, the business then being merged into a stock company, under the name of the Chappaqua Shoe Manufacturing Company, remaining as such until 1888, when our subject purchased the plant and again become sole proprietor. The business was afterward conducted under the firm style of Henry W. Bishoff, and employment was furnished to from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five hands, according to the season. Except when closed for repairs the factory is still kept running all the year around, by the sons, and three hundred pairs of shoes are turned out per day, these being sold mainly in New York state, Boston, Massachusetts, Wash- ington, D. C., Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island. It is one of the lead- ing industries of the county, and by its operation Mr. Bishoff materially ad- vanced the general welfare of the community. Since the death of Mr. Bish- off the business has been sold to Mr. Bache, who is settling up the estate.
He was married in New York city, in 1858, to Miss Maria Hamm, and the children born to them were as follows: Wilhelmina, who is the wife of Edward Johnston, a farmer of Mount Pleasant, and they have three chil- dren-Henry W., Herbert and Roy; Anna is the wife of Richard F. Carr, of Chappaqua, a custom-house officer of New York city, and they have three children-Frankie, Robert and Walter; Louisa is the wife of William Bishoff, a real-estate broker of New York city, and they have one child-Mildred; Henry W., Jr., is the superintendent of his father's shoe factory at Chappa- qua, where he makes his home, is a member of the order of American Mechanics and takes an active part in promoting the interests of the Repub- lican party in this county; he is quite prominent in public affairs; he mar- ried Miss Lola Crak, and has two children-Margaret and Dorothy; and William H., the younger son of our subject, is also a resident of Chappaqua, and is serving as salesman, collector and buyer for the establishment. He has held the office of township clerk for three consecutive years, and is one of the rising young men of the county. He married Miss Estella Quimby, and has one child, Hubert. The sons are both intelligent, enterprising and energetic young men, who are destined to make their mark in the affairs of
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the county. Their father died November 12, 1898, and their mother was called to her final rest in 1880. They were earnest members of the Lutheran church.
As a business man Mr. Bishoff gained an enviable reputation. At the early age of eight years he started out to make his own way in the world, and the success that crowned his efforts was due entirely to his industry, perseverance and good management. In politics he was a stalwart Repub- lican, was chairman of the township committee of New Castle, and for years a delegate to various county and state conventions. He filled the office of commissioner of highways and other positions; was postmaster of Chappaqua, and was appointed special expert witness on the water-shed by the city of New York; he took a deep and commendable interest in all things for the public good, and his counsel was often felt in the affairs of the county. Socially, he was a member of Mount Kisco Lodge, No. 708, F. & A. M., of which he was treasurer for the last twenty-seven years of his life. While a resident of New York he was a member of Troop A, First Regiment of Cav- alry, and was commissioned second lieutenant by Governor Fenton, resigning at the end of five years on his removal to Westchester county. In all the relations of life he was always found true to every trust reposed in him, and justly merited the esteem in which he was held.
WALTER S. NEILSON.
For many years Walter Scott Neilson was numhered among the dis- tinguished citizens who maintained summer residences in Larchmont. To him there came the attainment of an eminent position in connection with the financial interests of the metropolis, and his efforts were so discerningly directed along well-defined lines that he seemed to have realized at any point of progress the full measure of his possibilites for accomplishment at that point. He was a inan of distinctive and forceful individuality, of broad mentality and most mature judgment, and his capable management of exten- sive business interests won him a place among the most substantial citizens connected with Westchester county.
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