USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
He was born in New York city, July 20, 1845, and was a son of John and Mary (Scott) Neilson, both of whom were natives of Scotland, from which country they crossed the Atlantic to America, spending their remain- ing days in New York city. They were earnest Christian people of the Pres- byterian faith, and were held in the highest regard by all who knew them for their possession of those sterling traits of character which have ever marked the Scotch race.
In his parents' home Walter Scott Neilson spent his boyhood days, and
406
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
to the public schools of New York he is indebted for the educational privil- eges he received, his graduation in the high school completing his school life. He began his business career at the age of eighteen, entering Wall street in 1863, and after some time becoming a partner in the firm of White- ley & Neilson. Prosperity attended their efforts from the beginning and they established a successful business, their alliance continuing for some time. Later Mr. Neilson entered into partnership relations with J. H. Grie- sel, under the firm style of W. S. Neilson & Company, and their judicious investments and honorable business policy insured them most gratifying prosperity. Mr. Neilson 'transacted business and executed orders for such eminent speculators as Daniel Drew, Commodore Vanderbilt, Addison Com- mack and Jay Gould, and for many years continued a most prominent figure in Wall street, handling interests in which millions of capital were involved. In all trade transactions his sagacity and discernment were remarkable and his judgment rarely at fault, and from a humble clerical position he worked his way upward until he was widely known in financial circles, and his opinions carried great weight there. At length, on acoount of ill health, he withdrew from active connection with business in 1887, and lived retired until his death.
On the 10th of November, 1870, Mr. Neilson was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Murray, a daughter of Charles H. and Jessie (Conway) Mur- ray, then of Jersey City, New Jersey. By this union two sons were born: John, who now resides with his mother in Larchmont; and Charles Hamlet, who died in 1885, at the age of eight years.
During the early years of Mr. Neilson's business career he was a resi- dent of Jersey City, New Jersey, and became prominently identified with the public affairs of that city. He was for some time a member of the board of police commissioners and served as its treasurer. For four- teen years he was a member of the celebrated Seventh Regiment, National Guards, of New York city, and was an honorary member of its veterans' association at the time of his death. His religious faith was in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church, but he attended servi- ces with his family at St. John's Protestant Episcopal church, at Larchmont, of which is wife is a member. After her husband's death Mrs. Neilson and her son John donated a handsome memorial communion rail to the church in honor of the husband and father. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Neilson was ever celebrated for its generous hospitality, and the circle of their friends was almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances. Although a man of wealth Mr. Neilson was unostentatious in a marked degree-the indication of the true gentleman. His many kindnesses and deeds of charity were quietly performed, frequently being known only to
407
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
the recipient and himself. He was always willing to accord to any one the courtesy of an interview, and his conduct in all the affairs of life was such as to win him the esteem and confidence of all classes. After an ill- ness of several weeks he was called to his final rest, dying at his home on West Forty-seventh street, in New York city, February 19, 1897. He was in many respects a remarkable man. His business career was crowned with success that few attain. He started out upon an independent career at the age of eighteen, in a humble capacity, but rose to prominence in financial circles, and wielded a wide influence among the capitalists of America's metropolis. But though his business made heavy demands upon his time, the pursuit of wealth never warped his generous nature. He was a man of broad sympathy, with a deep interest in his fellow men and a strong appre- ciation of true worth in others. His public and private career were alike above reproach. He did what he could to lighten the woes and burdens of humanity and dissipate ignorance and misery; his friends found him a most congenial companion, and over the record of his honored useful life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
STEPHEN L. PURDY.
A representative farmer and leading citizen of Somers township, West- chester county. Mr. Purdy was born there, on the 7th of October, 1834, and is a son of John and Eliza Ann (Flewellin) Purdy. The birth of the father occurred in Yorktown, this county, December 30, 1807, his parents being Josiah and Susan (Bugby) Purdy, and his paternal grandparents being Andrew and Aner Purdy. The father of Andrew Purdy was a native of France, and on crossing the Atlantic to the New World he took up his abode in West- chester county, being one of its very earliest settlers. The family have since been prominently identified with the interests of the county, and as agri- culturists have materially aided in its development and upbuilding. Religi- ously they have been Protestants. The father of our subject, who died December 11, 1892, followed farming throughout his entire life, and was a very honorable and industrious man. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and religiously was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his estimable wife also belonged. She was born March 22, 1813, and died April 3, 1899. In their family were only two children: Stephen L., of this review; and Tamer Ann, wife of James H. Bedell, of New York city.
Upon the home farm, Stephen L. Purdy early became familiar with every department of farm work, while his literary training was received in the public schools of Sleepy Hollow, this county. At the age of twenty he
408
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
went to New York city, where he secured a position as cartman or driver, holding the same for one year. Subsequently, with a team of his own, he embarked in the same business, which he continued to follow with good success for eighteen years. In 1872 he returned to Somers township and has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits, coming into possession of the old home farm through inheritance. It comprises thirty-three acres, which he has under a high state of cultivation and now successfully operates. Being a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, he has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.
On the 7th of August, 1854, Mr. Purdy was united in marriage with Miss Harriett Montross, a daughter of David Montross. She died February 24, 1855, and on the 30th of March, 1857, he wedded Miss Sarah Jane Halstead, who was born in Somers township, March 12, 1835, and died May 8, 1894. Of the six children born of the second union, four are still living. In order of birth they were as follows: Evelana A., deceased; Cora C., wife of George Purdy, of Yorktown; Nathan L., deceased; Genevieve, wife of Frank Hallock, of Lake Mahopac, New York; Edna, at home; and Elisha H., also with his father.
DANIEL SMITH.
The inevitable law of destiny accords to tireless energy and industry a successful career, and it is these qualities which have enabled Daniel Smith to rise from a humble position to one of affluence. He has justly won the proud American title of "self-made man," for all that he has is the outcome of his well-directed effort and untiring energy. He now follows farming, general teaming and the transfer business, and his enterprise and capably- managed affairs are bringing to him a just reward for his labors.
Mr. Smith is a representative of one of the old families of Westchester county, and was born in North Castle, December 16, 1824. He is the eldest son and third child in a family of eight children, whose parents were Thomas and Freelove (Lounsbury) Smith, also natives of North Castle. The father was a farmer and died early in life, leaving a widow and eight small children. Daniel Smith spent the first eight years of his life in the town of his nativity, and then went to make his home among strangers. At the age of eleven he entered upon his business career, -a young lad to meet the difficulties and face the stern realities of life. He secured work on the farm of Samuel Bur- ling, where he remained for five months, receiving three dollars per month in compensation for his services. His second employer was Charles Miller, also a farmer, with whom he remained six years, and later he was in the ser-
409
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
vice of the Andersons and other parties, continuing to work at farm labor until twenty-three years of age.
At that period in his life Mr. Smith went to Pelham, on Hunter's island, and took charge of the island, comprising about three hundred acres of land. He continued to act in that capacity for about eight years, when the island was purchased by New York parties and laid out and devoted to park pur- poses. Mr. Smith then removed to a small farm of his own in the town of Harrison, and for a time carried on agricultural pursuits on his own account, but was later employed by Benjamin Halliday to take charge of his eight- hundred-acre farm, which he successfully conducted for some time. At present that farm is owned by Whitelaw Reid. In 1877 the subject of this review removed to White Plains, where he is now engaged in general team- ing and the transfer business, doing all kinds of hauling and delivering, employing several teams and a number of men. The satisfactory way in which the work is done brings him a liberal patronage, and his known relia- bility is a guarantee that he will attend to any interests entrusted to him in the most prompt and able manner. He now owns a good residence in White Plains, which stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise.
On the 30th of October, 1848, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Jane G. Gray, daughter of Thomas and Isabel (Blair) Gray. She was born in Scotland and was brought to America by her parents when a child of six years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church and are widely and favorably known in this community. He is a man of modest and unassuming manner and retiring disposition, but of genuine worth and inflexible integ- rity, and is well deserving of mention among the representative citizens of White Plains. He has never sought office, but served for one term as col- lector of his town.
CHARLES R. DUSENBERRY.
" The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest naviga- tors," said Gibbon, while Smiles has written, " Success treads on the heels of every right effort." Throughout all ages recognition has been accorded this truth, that well-directed, consecutive and honorable labor never fails to win a merited reward, and the statement finds exemplification in the life of Charles R. Dusenberry, who for many years was prominently connected with the agricultural and mercantile interests of Westchester county, but is now living retired at his beautiful home near the city of Yonkers.
Charles Richard Dusenberry was born in New York city, December 4, 1829, a son of Charles and Sarah (Bowne) Dusenberry, a representative of old and prominent families of Westchester county. The Dusenberry family
410
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
originated in Holland, but was founded in America at an early period in American history, and John Dusenberry, the great-grandfather of our subject, born on Long Island, was numbered among the colonists who fought for national independence in the war of the Revolution. He participated in the battle of White Plains and other important engagements, and by his merito- rious service won promotion to the rank of major. His son Charles Dusen- berry, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Greensburg, Westches- ter county, and the father, Charles Dusenberry, 2d, was born in Greensburg, December 29, 1792. He a was retail dealer in groceries in New York city. He entered upon his business career in 1832, and later established a country home on a farm in the town of Yonkers, not far from the city of that name. He was one of four commissioners who designed and carried forward the plan for the construction of a reservoir and pipe line to conduct water into the city of New York from Croton river, which was one of the most difficult tasks of civil engineering ever executed in connection with any water-works system. He was an enterprising business man and a prominent citizen, and died in 1871. He married Sarah Bowne, who was born in the town of Yonkers and was a daughter of John Bowne, a farmer by occupation. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children-seven sons and a daughter-and she departed this life in 1872.
Charles R. Dusenberry, the only survivor of the family, spent the first ten years of his life in the city of New York, and in the public schools there acquired his prelminary education, which was supplemented by further study in the Yonkers schools. After laying aside his text-books he remained at home and assisted his father in business until 1855, when he began merchan- dising on his own account in Tuckahoe, where he remained for five years. He then returned to the old homestead, where he carried on agricultural pursuits on an extensive scale until 1896, when he retired from the active management of the farm. In 1873 he was one of the organizers of the Citizens' National Bank, at Yonkers, and is now serving as one of its directors, but with the exception of the supervision of his property interests he has laid aside business cares and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He now owns and occupies the palatial home which formerly belonged to his father, and which is most beautifully situated upon an eminence commanding a fine view of Tuckahoe, Yonkers and the surrounding country.
In 1853 Mr. Dusenberry was married, Miss Emily M. Odell becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Cornelius M. Odell, who for many years was a prominent citizen of Westchester county. Mr. and Mrs. Dusenberry have two children, namely: Jane O., wife of Wilbur S. Underhill, of Yonkers; and Annie D., wife of Caleb A. Ives, of Yonkers.
In his political views Mr. Dusenberry is a stanch Republican, and his
411
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
loyalty to all duties of citizenship has led to his selection for a number of public offices. He has been a trustee on the district school board of the town of Yonkers and has served as supervisor of the town and city of Yonkers. He was president of the city police board for fifteen years, served for some time as justice of the peace of Yonkers, and was elected and served for one. term as assessor of the town. He has ever discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity, and is honorable and upright in all life's relations, commanding uniform respect by reason of his sterling worth. His reputa- tion in business circles is unassailable, and in private life he manifests those genial, kindly traits of character which inspire warm personal friendships.
JACOB D. CORTRIGHT.
This sterling citizen of Mount Vernon, Westchester county, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Middletown, Luzerne county, December 27, 1852. He is a son of Butler and Elizabeth (Siegel) Cort- right, and is one of eleven children. Two of his brothers, Peter and Fred, were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war, as was also an uncle, Daniel Siegel. The boyhood days of our subject were spent chiefly in the town of Mauch Chunk, in his native state, and from that time he was twelve years of age he has been largely dependent upon his own resources. He left school at that age and for some time was a worker in the anthracite coal fields in the vicinity of his home, and afterward, for seven years, he was employed as a brakeman on the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
It was about twenty-seven years ago that Mr. Cortright cast his fortunes. with those of this thriving little city, and since then he has always been thoroughly identified with all public enterprises here. For a few years he was employed as a journeyman on various public works in this place and finally became a foreman. Becoming familliar with all kinds of grading, sewer-building, macadamizing, etc., he commenced taking small contracts. and executing them with thoroughness and promptness, living up to every detail of his agreement and thus winning the approbation of his superiors.
Wishing to do business on a larger scale, Mr. Cortright went into part- nership with Andrew Kenlon in 1891, the firm name becoming Cortright & Kenlon. They are always kept very busy in attending to their many con- tracts for public improvements, and have long been recognized as the leading firm in their line of business in this city. Their contracts represent about one hundred thousand dollars of work each year, and the number of men in their employ varies from seventy to one hundred and fifty at a time, the average being, perhaps, over one hundred. Mr. Cortright personally super- intends his great contracts and may often be seen working as industriously as.
412
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
any of his men. He has two valuable assistants in the persons of his two sons, Byron and John, who are young men of ability and genius. They are graduates of the Mount Vernon high school, which in its grade is conceded to be one of the finest institutions of learning in this state.
In 1878, Mr. Cortright married Margaret Quinn, of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Thomas and Ellen Quinn, and two sons and two daughters came to bless their home. The two daughters, Helena and Maria, are deceased. The family is identified with the Catholic church. Mr. Cortright is a member of the Order of St. John of Malta, and belongs to the Odd Fel- lows lodge at Union Hill, New Jersey.
CLARENCE EDMOND PARKER.
The family of Parker is quite numerous in America. The name is of English origin, but was derived from parcarius, the Latin designation for park-keeper or shepherd. The Danes, Saxons and Normans had their repre- sentatives of the name.
Clarence Edmond Parker, Napera Park, Yonkers, is a son of Edward H. and Mary Calista (Brown) Parker, and was born at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, April 4, 1860, and educated at the public schools of his native town. For ten years he was employed as traveling representative by Wash- burn & Moen, manufacturers of barbed wire and wire fencing, and in that capacity repeatedly visited every part of the country east of the Mississippi. Later for a time he was a contractor for wire fences on his own account, and with such success that the establishment of his factory at Yonkers followed as a demand of his increasing business. He manufactures all kinds of wire fences, and gives employment to a number of men. He is a prominent citi- zen in every relation, is a member of Hastings fire department, and post- master at Napera Park. He has represented his fellow citizens as a delegate to several important conventions, and takes an active and helpful interest in all important public matters. He married Jennie Eliza, daughter of Benja- min A. See, of New York city, who bore him a daughter, Elsie Ellen, now deceased.
Some account of Mr. Parker's ancestry will be of interest in this connec- tion. Andrew Parker, a son of John and Deliverance (Dodge) Parker, was born, in 1693, at Reading, lived at Lexington, and married Sarah Whitney. He was a husbandman and wood-worker, and figured conspicuously in the early history of New England. His father, John Parker, was a son of Lieu- tenant Hananiah Parker. He was a joiner, who made furniture, farm implements and other useful articles, and it is recorded that he was a fence viewer and tithing-man-1715-21. Hananiah Parker was a farmer and a
413
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
typical Puritan yeoman. In 1680 he was chosen ensign, and in 1684 lieutenant of the Reading military company, and for seven years he was a member of the general court. He was a son of Deacon Thomas Parker, who sailed in the ship "Susan and Ellen" from London, March 11, 1635, and located at Lynn. He was a zealous churchman, married in New England, and died there, leaving a considerable estate. Thomas Parker, son of Andrew and Sarah (Whitney) Parker, married Jane Parrot. He was quarter- master of the Lexington military company in 1774, was a selectman in 1776 and 1777, and was one of the original signers of the Lexington declaration of independence. He was a man of some wealth, and operated in real estate successfully for that early time. His old homestead is yet in possession of his descendants.
Deacon Ebenezer Parker, a son of Thomas Parker just mentioned, was born in Lexington in 1750, and married Dorcas Monroe. He was an officer in John Parker's company of minute men, and displayed extraordinary bravery at Lexington and Concord, and at the battle of Bunker Hill he was one of a detachment of sixty men who guarded Charlestown Neck. He re- moved to Princeton in 1777, and was a deacon in the church and a leader in all public affairs. He was one of the signers of the Princeton declaration of independence in 1777, was assessor, 1782-1812, and selectman, 1786-1805. He was elected representative in 1796, 1797 and 1800. Ebenezer Parker, Jr., grandfather of Clarence Edmond Parker, was born at Princeton, June 4, 1784, and married Hannah B. Merriam, who was a daughter of Captain Amos and Deborah (Brooks) Merriam, of Concord. He was a man of ability, who served his fellow men as selectman (1829), as member of the legislature (1841-43), and in other important offices. Of his eleven children, Edward Hanford Parker, father of Clarence Edmond Parker, was the ninth in order of birth. This son was born at Princeton, Massachusetts, December 28, 1825, secured a common-school education and learned the carpenter's trade. January 12, 1851, he married Mary Calista Brown. He died in February, 1874, as the result of an accident, and is remembered for a striking char- acter, in which honesty, good judgment, firmness and good will to his fellows were prominent traits. Mrs. Parker was a daughter of Joel and Lucy (Whitney) Brown, of Boylston, Massachusetts, and is now a resident of. Worcester.
CHARLES RICH, M. D.
Doctor Rich, who is a popular and successful physician and surgeon of Yorktown Heights, is a native of Westchester county, his birth occurring in Cortland township, March 27, 1865. The family is of French origin and the name was formerly spelled Reichi. The Doctor's father, Benjamin Rich,
414
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
was likewise born in Cortland township, December 29, 1821, a son of Dan- iel and Anna (Dennison) Rich, both of whom died in this county. Through- out life Benjamin Rich followed the occupation of farming, always cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and held various township offices of honor and trust. In religious faith he was a Bap- tist, holding membership in the church of that denomination at Yorktown. He married Miss Sarah E. Beale, who was born in Peekskill, this county, and is a daughter of Joseph Beale, a native of England. She is still living in Peekskill, but Mr. Rich died in May, 1883, at the age of sixty-two years. The children born to them were as follows: Charles, the subject of this re- view; Martha, deceased; George B., a resident of Cortland township; and Jennie, wife of Charles Flewellen.
Doctor Rich was reared on the old homestead, and acquired his literary education in the Westchester County Institute, at Peekskill, and the Hudson River Institute, in Columbia county, New York. Later he studied medicine for some time with Dr. E. DeMotte Lyon, of Peekskill, and in 1886 entered the University of New York, where he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1889. For over six years he has now successfully engaged in the prac- tice of his chosen profession at Yorktown Heights, and is an honored and prominent member of the Westchester County Medical Association.
On the Ist of October, 1890, Doctor Rich was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Deuel, of Cortland township, Westchester county, a daughter of Andrew and Caroline (Strang) Deuel, and to them has been born a daughter, Mildred B. In 1893 the Doctor erected a pleasant and attractive residence in Yorktown Heights, where hospitality now reigns supreme, the many friends of the family being always sure of a hearty welcome. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at that place, and in social circles occupy an enviable position.
CHARLES F. CHAPMAN, M. D.
One of the younger representatives of the medical profession, yet regarded as the leading physician and surgeon of Mount Kisco, is Dr. Charles Francis Chapman, who has spent his entire life in Westchester county, his birth hav- ing occurred in Katonah, February 23, 1868. His father, Dr. J. Francis Chapman, was born at East Pepperell, Massachusetts, near Boston, and dur- ing his life engaged in mercantile pursuits in the latter city. When a young man he joined the quartermaster's department of the Seventh Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the Civil war. A short time afterward he located at his wife's early home in Katonah, New York, and commenced reading medicine with his father-in- law, after which he attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Sur-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.