USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 50
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In 1888, Mr. Van Arsdale was united in marriage with Miss Minnie
E. Van andale.
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Wyand, of New York city, a daughter of Henry and Fanny (Patterson) Wy- and, and of this union has been born one daughter, Fannie A. They have a pleasant home at No. 41 South Second avenue, Mount Vernon, and are members of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension at that place. Mr. Van Arsdale is a member of the Mount Vernon Board of Trade, and has been a member of the committee of the same; while socially he belongs to Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 195, I.O.O.F .; the Royal Arcanum; Golden Rod Coun- cil, the Knights of St. John and Malta, and the Improved Order of Hepta- sophs. Politically, he is a Republican.
EDWIN RICHENS.
Among the citizens that England has furnished to Westchester county is Edwin Richens, of Yonkers, who was born in Bristol, England, a son of Daniel and Caroline (Darch) Richens. Daniel and Caroline Richens came from Wiltshire and Somerset, respectively. The mother is now deceased.
Edwin Richens attended the public schools of Bristol, England, and after his arrival in America continued his education in the schools of Irvington, Westchester county. He was graduated in the Packard Business College in 1885, and in his early life thought to prepare for the ministry, but eventually abandoned that plan. He entered upon his business career as bookkeeper and general office man for the Henry R. Worthington Steam Pump Com- pany, of New York, and was connected with that house for eight years. In 1893 he became cashier, paymaster and purchasing agent for the Otis Elec- tric Company, with which he has since been connected, in charge of the office business of that concern. He is an enterprising and wide-awake business man, and has the confidence and regard of all with whom his dealings have brought him in contact.
Mr. Richens is married to Miss Lillie Vickery, of Gloversville, New York, and they have had two daughters, Grace Dorothy and Bertha; but the latter is deceased. Mr. Richens is a member of the Episcopal church and is assistant treasurer of St. Andrew's Golf Club, of Yonkers. He is popular with a large circle of friends and is widely known in this place.
LEWIS H. MILLER.
One of the most enterprising and reliable citizens of Katonah, New York, is Lewis H. Miller, who has for the past ten years successfully engaged in the real-estate business at that place and has been prominently identified with a number of its leading enterprises. He belongs to one of the old and honored families of the county, his grandfather being Norman W. Miller, a 28
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leading citizen of this section in his time. The father, Smith Miller, was also a native of Westchester county, where he made his home throughout life, dying here in the fall of 1895, at the age of sixty-two years. He was an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as class-leader for some years. His widow was in her maidenhood Miss Julia A. Clark, daughter of Nathan Clark, who was a farmer. Our subject is the oldest of the three children of the family, the others being Frank C., a railroad employe now residing in Mount Kisco, this county, and Edith, who graduated at the State Normal at Pottsdam, New York, and is now successfully engaged in teaching at Mount Kisco.
A native of Westchester county, Lewis H. Miller was born October 9, 1852, received his early education in the public schools near his boyhood home, and later attended business college for a time. He began his business career when but fifteen years of age as bookkeeper for Hoyt Brothers, but for the past ten years has devoted his attention to the real-estate business, with good success. In the meantime he has most creditably filled several offices of honor and trust, and is now treasurer of the City Water Company and secretary and general manager of the Katonah Land Company.
In 1880 Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Bar- clay, of New York city, where she was reared and educated. Her father is Henry Barclay. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children: Luella and Henrietta. He is an active member of the Methodist church, and is now serving as president of the Epworth League. He is broad, liberal and progressive in his views and gives his support to anything which tends to elevate the educational and religious standard of the town, and has most efficiently served on the school board.
GEORGE HENRY BRILL.
The subject of this sketch comes from a German family noted for patriotism and sterling integrity. In several generations of the family have been found skilled machinists, and George Henry Brill is himself a machinist of high order, being at the head of the hydraulic department in the establish- ment of Otis Brothers & Company, of Yonkers New York.
George Henry Brill was born at College Point, Long Island, New York, August 11, 1859, son of Jacob and Sophia Brill, and grandson of Henry Brill, both father and grandfather being natives of Germany. Henry Brill, accompanied by his family, made the voyage to America about the year 1848 and upon his arrival here located at College Point. He had served his time in the German army and had learned the machinist's trade in the old country, and after coming to the United States he soon secured a position in the
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machine department of the Enterprise Rubber Company, of College Point, of which department he was foreman for many years. He died at the age of sixty-two years. His family comprised five children, namely: Jacob, Dewitt, Henry, Laura and John.
Jacob, the eldest in the family above named, was the father of our sub- ject. He was born in Germany September 19, 1844, and was a small child at the time he was brought by his parents to the United States. He was reared and educated and learned his trade, that of machinist, at College Point, Long Island, and during the late civil war he showed his loyalty to the country of his adoption by enlisting and serving in the Union Army. He was a member of the Seventy-third Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, in which he made an honorable record, and after the war he was for some years a mem- ber of Kitchen Post, G. A. R., at Yonkers. His brother John was a soldier and was for seven months in Libby prison. For a number of years before his death Jacob Brill was employed as a machinist by Otis Brothers & Com- pany, of Yonkers, and with his family resided here. He died here at the age of fifty-one years. He was a Lutheran and a Republican, in both religion and politics being like his honored father. Jocob Brill's widow is still living and is now fifty-nine years of age. Their two children are George Henry and Henrietta.
George Henry Brill attended the public schools of his native town until he was fifteen wears of age and he then began work at the machinist's trade in Mount Vernon and New York city, where he was employed until 1882. That year he entered the employ of Otis Brothers & Company, of Yonkers, with which firm he has since continued, and since 1894 he has had charge of the hydraulic department, an important branch of the business, employing sixty men, and having charge of the construction from the parts, the machine work, testing, etc.
Mr. Brill is a member of the Knights of Malta, the Otis Mutual Aid Association and the Volunteer Firemen. Religiously he is a Presbyterian, being a member of Day Spring Presbyterian church.
He was married August 3, 1880, to Miss Louisa Grabafska, and they have had six children, Charles, George, Arthur, Edwin, Henry and Frederick. All are living except Charles and George.
THEODORE E. CONKLIN.
This gentleman has spent his entire life in New Rochelle, and is a rep- resentative of one of the old families of the Empire state. Captain Enoch Conklin, the grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Brooklyn, Long Island, and for many years followed the sea. He sailed under letters of
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marque for the United States government, in his own vessel, the Arrow, and was lost in 1817, no tidings ever being heard of him from that time. His widow located in New Rochelle in 1820. She bore the maiden name of Mary June, and they were married May 6, 1799. Five children were born to them: Benjamin Titus, who was born February 5, 1800, and died unmarried; Ed- ward Platt, who was born December 4, 1801, and died in childhood; Mary Wheeler, who was born January 19, 1804, and died in early life; Mary, who was born August 2, 1811, and was married August 3, 1826, to David Har- rison, a lawyer, who died in 1877, her death occurring in February, 1879; and Enoch, the father of our subject. Mrs. Harrison had two children, Mary and David, but both are now deceased.
Captain Enoch Conklin, Jr., was born in Westchester county, New York, April 15, 1814, and like his father he followed the sea for a number of years, but retired in 1869. He then purchased a small tract of land within the cor- porate limits of New Rochelle and there spent his remaining days, his death occurring September 14, 1889. He was a man of domestic tastes, fond of home and family, and was married in 1835 to Henrietta Adelaide Sy, by whom he had six children. Samuel Conover and Heber Newton both died in early childhood. Adelaide, Antoinette and Mary are the next of the fam- ily and are unmarried. Charles Louis married Emma Peck Stout, and had one child, Gertrude Harrison. Theodore Eaton, the youngest, who was born and educated in New Rochelle, where he still resides, married Emma Ade- laide Brigham, and they have three children, Theodore Brigham, Harold Sy Conklin and Ferris Richardson.
MICHAEL J. TIERNEY.
One of the prominent members of the Westchester county bar is Michael J. Tierney, of New Rochelle, New York. He was born in the village of New Rochelle, January 16, 1864, and is of Irish descent, his parents, Patrick and Mary (Hennesy) Tierney, both being natives of the Emerald Isle. The senior Mr. Tierney and his wife left Ireland and came to this country when young, were married in New Rochelle, New York, and here passed the whole of their wedded life. He died here in 1881, and his widow is still a resident of this place. He was reared a farmer, and followed agricultural pursuits during the early part of his life, but later turned his attention to mercantile business, in which he was engaged for a number of years. In their family were ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom, with one exception, are still living. One son, Edward J., was educated for the priest- hood, and was ordained priest in Rome, Italy, in 1896.
Michael J. Tierney was reared in his native town and educated in its
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Michael
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public schools, his school days ending with the completion of his high-school course. Choosing the law for his life profession, he entered the office of Judge Martin J. Keogh, now on the supreme bench, and under his able instructions pursued the study of law. In 1885 he passed a successful examination, at Poughkeepsie, New York, and was admitted to the bar. Returning to New Rochelle, he at once entered upon the practice of his pro- fession, and for a time was in the office of his former preceptor, Judge Keogh. He conducts a general practice, has a large clientage, and is regarded as one of the leading lawyers of the town.
Mr. Tierney is a man of independent thought and action, and for years has shown a lively interest in political matters, affiliating with the Demo- cratic party. His activity in political affairs, and his popularity in the town, have gained for him local offices of prominence and trust. For eight years he served as police justice of New Rochelle, from 1895 to 1897 was corpora- tion counsel, and from 1893 to 1894 was town auditor.
In 1887 Mr. Tierney married Miss Catherine Agatha Brady, daughter of William and Mary (Rooney) Brady, prominent residents of New Rochelle. Mr. Brady has filled various local positions of prominence here, his official life covering a period of thirty-two years.
GEORGE TRACY.
To the man who begins his business career in a strange country, where manners and customs are very different from those to which he has been used, success means a long, hard struggle, and when he has won a victory over circumstances and adverse influences he is the more entitled to credit. The subject of this memoir is such a man, -one who has been the architect of his own fortunes, and by continued effort and industry has won a place for himself in the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been asso- ciated, in one capacity or another.
The father of our subject was Joseph Tracy, who was a native of Ire- land, and whose home was in county Westmeath at the time of the birth of the son. The mother was a Miss Catherine Gilligan in her girlhood days, and she too was a child of the Emerald Isle. George Tracy, of this sketch, was born in the town of Tyrrell's Pass, county Westmeath, April 4, 1854. His early years passed happily and without startling incident, in the beautiful land of his birth, but he gradually made up his mind to seek a new home and wider opportunities for making a livelihood.
The long cherished dream of the youth was accomplished when, in 1872, being then in his nineteenth year, he set sail from his native land for the land of promise, where so many of his countrymen had preceded him. He arrived
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safely in New York city after a speedy voyage on the broad Atlantic, and at once proceeded to Yonkers, where he has since made his home. He served a regular apprenticeship to the mason's trade and became proficient in the business. In 1891 he commenced taking contracts for stone masonry on his own account and has been fortunate in securing many of the contracts for public and private buildings which have since been erected here. As monu- ments to his skill and good workmanship stands the greater part of the block between Main and Dock streets, on North Broadway, this containing the business houses of Wheeler and McCann. He employs as many as thirty men at a time and his business is steadily increasing, year by year. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and before leaving Ireland he was active in the Fenian movement. Religiously he is a member of the Catholic church.
Upon the 10th of April, 1872, Mr. Tracy married Miss Bridget Egan, who by her sympathy and cheer has assisted him in all his enterprises. They have had ten children, but only five of the number survive. In order of birth they are named as follows: Mary, Nellie, Joseph, George and Loretta. They have a pleasant home and enjoy the friendship of many of the citizens of this place.
HIRAM B. SARLES.
Without question this worthy citizen of Yorktown township, Westches- ter county, is one of the most popular hotel men of this section of New York. He is thoroughly experienced in the business, and knows from this experi- ence how to cater to the needs and wishes of the general public. In man- ner he is genial, cheerful and obliging and makes friends readily. What is better still, he retains friends, and his patrons comprise persons and fam- ilies who come here year by year to enjoy his hospitality. The well known Croton Lake House, at Pines Bridge, three and a half miles west of Mount Kisco and seven miles distant from Sing Sing, needs no introduction to the residents of this county, as its attractions have been frequently sung. Suffice it to say that the natural attractions of this spot are always in the memory of the sight-seer and with great pleasure he returns here as often as possible. The hotel is kept in a neat, business-like way; the cuisine is excellent and prices are moderate.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Sarles, was numbered among the old and respected farmers of this county. The parents of Hiram Sarles were Hiram and Ellen (Glimp) Sarles, the latter of German descent. They were the parents of nine children and only three of the number are now living. Maria is the wife of A. Birdsall, of Bristol, Connecticut. Clinton is a resident of this locality. The father was a man of fine physique, being tall and well proportioned. In his political opinions he was a Democrat.
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He died when about eighty-four years of age, and his wife died at the age of fifty-six years.
The birthplace of Hiram Sarles of this sketch is in Bedford township, Westchester county, and in that locality he spent his boyhood years. He attended the district schools of the neighborhood, more or less, until he was twenty years old, when he left home and embarked in business on his own account. He was interested in the management of a livery at Purdy Station, this county, for a few years, and then devoted his time and energies to his present line of occupation. He has built up an enviable reputation as a hotel manager and has successfully conducted numerous excursion parties here- abouts. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is associated with the Foresters of America, being connected with Pleasantville Lodge. When he was twenty-two years old he married Miss Hannah Lint, a native of Croton Falls, and a daughter of Albert Lint.
E. LIPPARD GALE, SR.
E. Lippard Gale, Sr., of Yonkers, was born in the city which is now his home, October 12, 1862, and is a son of Eevert and Susan (Kniffin) Gale. His father was born in Putnam Valley, Putnam county, New York, and for forty-six years resided in Yonkers. He is a carpenter and builder by trade, and under contract erected many of the substantial buildings of this place. He is now retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He is seventy-five years of age and his wife has attained the age of seventy years. The former is of German lineage, the latter of French extraction, and in their family were four children, namely: Mrs. J. P. Lewis, Mrs. Abraham Schultz, Mrs. John Van Leer, and E. Lippard.
The only son of the family was educated in the public schools of Yonkers, in which he was graduated in 1887, when sixteen years of age. He then entered upon his business career, and after working in a hat factory for some time began serving an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, in the shops of D. Saunders & Sons, of Yonkers, with whom he remained for four years. He afterward spent nine months in the employ of Guild & Gar- rison, steam-pump manufacturers, of Brooklyn, and on the expiration of that period accepted a position as machinist for the Alexander Smith Car- pet Company, at Yonkers. In 1886 he entered the service of Otis Brothers & Company, and has remained continuously with the firm since that time as one of its most valued and efficient representatives. In 1889 he was sent by the company to the Paris exposition to take charge of an exhibit of an electrical and gas engine, remaining abroad for seven months. One year later he was made foreman of the electric-elevator construction department
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in the works of Otis Brothers & Company, and in 1893 superintendent of the Otis Electric Company Plant, in which capacity he has charge of the manufacture of all the electrical apparatus used by the Otis Brothers & Company in the construction of their electrical elevators. Mr. Gale has three foremen and one hundred and thirty men under his supervision, and to his capable management and thorough understanding of the business the success of this department is due. He has the unqualified confidence of the company, and is most loyal to the interests of his employers.
Mr. Gale was united in marriage to Miss Emma Sutton, a daughter of James Sutton and they now have three children, E. Lippard, Eiffel Baldwin and Arthur Sutton.
JOHN A. VAN ZELM.
A rising young attorney of New Rochelle, New York, is Mr. Van Zelm, who was born in the city of Rotterdam, Holland, July 10, 1874, son of Henry and Cornelia Louise (Dekkers) Van Zelm. Mr. and Mrs. Van Zelm left Holland, their native land, and came with their family to America when John A. was in his infancy, and on arriving here they settled in New Ro- chelle, New York, where they have since resided. Here Mr. Van Zelm engaged in the business he had learned in the old country, that of scale man- ufacturing, and now has a factory located at New Rochelle and main office in New York city.
John A. Van Zelm received his elementary education in the public schools of New Rochelle, and early in life had an ambition to make his own way in the world. When only thirteen years of age he entered the law office of the Hon. Martin J. Keogh, of New Rochelle, where he remained a num- ber of years, -up to the time Judge Keogh went on the supreme court bench, in 1896. He studied law under the able instructions of this eminent lawyer, and later entered the law department of the University of New York, in New York city, where he spent two years. At this time, feeling a need for ad- vancement in other lines of study which had been neglected in his youth, he secured a private teacher and diligently improved every moment. In due time he was admitted to the bar, having successfully passed examination at Brooklyn, New York. From 1894 to 1896 he was manager in the office of Judge Keogh, and when the latter was advanced to the supreme bench he turned his business over to Mr. Van Zelm and Mr. C. T. Emmet, who formed a copartnership under the firm name of Emmet & Van Zelm. Both young men being bright, energetic and well equipped for the profession they have entered, they are winning their way to the front. In addition to con- ducting a general practice, they deal in real estate, and Mr. Van Zelm is treasurer of The Lovell Dry Plate Manufacturing Company, manufacturers
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John A. rau Gelme.
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of film plates for photographers. The board of trade appointed Mr. Van Zelm chairman of the committee to prepare a city charter for New Rochelle, and the same was prepared and accepted by the board of trade and board of trustees, and the bill has been introduced in the legislature.
Fraternally, Mr. Van Zelm is a lodge and chapter Mason and maintains membership in Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., and Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 228, R. A. M. He is a member of the New Rochelle Rowing Club and the New Rochelle Yacht Club, and politically is a Democrat, active and enthusiastic in aiding in the election of his friends, but never himself seeking official honors. In his religious creed he is Calvinistic, and is a a member of the First Presbyterian church. He married Miss Helen Lischke, of Long Island, New York.
HENRY A. VARIAN.
The subject of this memoir was born in the town of Scarsdale, West- chester county, in the year 1818, received a common-school education and learned the butcher's trade, which, together with farming, he successfully followed during life. His parents, Jonathan and Phebe (Angevine) Varian, were likewise natives of Westchester county, born on a farm near Scarsdale. The father of our subject was an enterprising and patriotic citizen and was known as Colonel Varian, having served during the war of 1812, and was made colonel for meritorious services. His sword and hat are still in the possession of the family. Mr. Varian was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Seacord, of the town of New Rochelle, and the eldest daughter of Rich- ard and Maria (Gallaudet) Seacord. Her parents also were natives of that town, her father being a farmer, and Richard Seacord's parents were among the pioneers of this county. They traced their ancestry to the French Huguenots, who emigrated to this country in 1684. Richard Seacord died in March, 1867, and his wife in January, 1879. They were the parents of four children: William G., who died June 23, 1898; Franklin B., who departed this life in January, 1879, shortly after the death of the father; Caroline, who married Benjamin F. Underhill, of Tuckahoe, and is now deceased; at her death, which occurred one year prior to that of her husband, she left two daughters: Mary Louise, wife of George B. Underhill; and Ella, wife of Albert B. Morgan; and Mary A., the widow of our subject, is now the only one living. She has one son, Charles H., who resides with her on the farm. At one time this son was a member of the firm of Seacord & Varian, who conducted a wholesale and retail meat market in New Rochelle. After closing their business Mr. Varian retired to the farm. He is an active Democrat, and is now school treasurer of District No. 2 in New Rochelle.
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Mr. Varian, the father, died September 20, 1866, leaving the legacy of a fine reputation as a kind husband and father, as well as a useful and honored citizen. Mrs. Varian survives, and is residing at the old homestead, a beau- tiful place comprising fifty acres of well-improved land. She is an intelligent and refined lady, and a consistent and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her husband was not a member but was a regular attend- ant of the church, to which he was a liberal contributor.
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