USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume I > Part 7
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When seventeen years of age Judge Mills determined to devote his life to the work of the legal profession, and, realizing the necessity of a broad gen- eral education to serve as a foundation on which to rest the superstructure of professional knowledge, he entered the Providence Conference Seminary, at Greenwich, Rhode Island, to prepare for college. In the winter of 1869-70 he engaged in teaching a district school, near Newport, for one term, at the same time studying evenings in order to keep up with his class at the semi- nary. In the summer of 1870 he was graduated in that institution with the
Esare A. Mills
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highest rank in the class, and in the following autumn entered Amherst Col- lege, where, during the four-years course, he took several prizes for excellence in Latin, Greek, philosophy, physiology, debate and extemporaneous speaking. In 1874 he was graduated as the valedictorian of his class, -a class number- ing in all ninety-five members, of which seventy-five were graduated. Two of the number are now professors in Columbia College, one is a professor in Williams College and several others are prominent in professional life.
After leaving Amherst Mr. Mills entered the Columbia Law College, of New York city, where he was graduated in 1876. In October of the same year he came to Mount Vernon and entered upon the practice of law as a member of the firm of Mills & Woods, which connection was continued until May, 1882, when by mutual consent the partnership was dissolved. Since that time Judge Mills has been active in the practice in the courts of West- chester county and New York city, with the exception of the period of his service on the bench. He has always been a close law student and has devoted his energies exclusively to the labors and duties of his profession. It is conceded by all who know him that he is upright, honest and able. He has been engaged in many important litigations, and has been largely success- ful. The judges and lawyers before whom and with whom he has practiced speak of him in the highest terms. There is no one at the Westchester bar who is more devoted to the interests of his clients, or more earnest or success- ful in their advocacy.
In the fall of 1883 he was elected county judge and filled that position with marked ability from 1884 until 1895. He was an upright judge, his ability as a lawyer, his thoroughness, his keenness in detecting the salient points, and, above all, his judicial temperament peculiarly fitting for the responsible duties of the office. He was elected on the Republican ticket, having throughout his majority given his support to the men and measures of that party.
HON. JAMES HOAG.
Hon. James Hoag, one of Westchester county's prominent citizens, comes of Quaker stock, which has been influential in this part of New York for generations. He is a son of Israel and Phœbe (Carpenter) Hoag, and was born in the town of Westchester, January 3, 1847. John Hoag, his paternal grandfather, was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1781, and was an extensive farmer, with quarry interests centering in New York city. He disposed of these enterprises in 1835 and engaged in the grocery trade near Sing Sing, but soon returned to his farm. He was a Friend and attended the old Friends' meeting at Chappaqua. Politically he was a Whig of the most pronounced belief, a Harrison man and everything the term
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implies. He married Parthenia Green, daughter of Oliver Green, a West- chester county farmer well known in his time, and had three children: Israel G., father of James; Phoebe and Ann Maria. The last mentioned married John N. Bowen. John Hoag died October 12, 1850, full of years and honor.
Israel G. Hoag, the second child of John and Parthenia (Green) Hoag, was born in the town of Westchester, October 2, 1815, was educated in public and private schools, and in 1835 located in Ossining, where he was a leading farmer until his death, which occurred January 17, 1875. He took a leading part in town affairs, and was assessor of the town of Ossining for twelve years. Politically he was in early life a Whig; later he was a Demo- crat. He was a Friend, and his whole life was marked by the simple hon- esty of his faith. He married Miss Phoebe Carpenter, who died July 15, 1851. She bore him two children, - James and Mary B. The latter mar- ried Foreman W. Miller, long prominent in New York and Brooklyn, and died in November, 1878. Phœbe (Carpenter) Hoag was thirty-three years old at the time of her death. She was a daughter of Rees Carpenter, of French descent, who was a native of Westchester county, however; a car- penter by trade as well as by name early in life, but during the greater part of his active career a merchant and farmer in the town of Ossining, of which he was supervisor and in the affairs of which he took an active and influen- tial interest. He was a member of the Society of Friends, a Whig and later a Republican. He married Sarah Brown, and they had born to them six children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Jacob, David, Phœbe, Freelon and Hannah. The other one died in infancy. Rees Car- penter died in August, 1871, at the age of eighty-three; his wife in 1867, at the age of seventy-two.
Hon. James Hoag was educated in private schools in the town of Ossin- ing, also in Sing Sing and at the Mount Pleasant Military Academy at Sing Sing, an old and thorough institution founded about 1818. He left school in his seventeenth year and began to assist in his father's farming operations on the family homestead in Ossining, about a mile from the center of Sing Sing, where he has lived continuously ever since. The farm is a fine one, embrac- ing sixty acres of valuable land, provided with first-class buildings and every facility and appliance that could conduce to its successful management. Mr. Hoag has some of the best live stock and horses in the county. He early became practically interested in the affairs of the town and took an active interest in local and national politics, considering all public questions from the point of view of a patriotic and conservative Democrat. His influence was fully recognized by his townsmen and he was six times elected supervisor ·of Ossining and was chosen to fill other important home offices. He repre-
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sented his district in the assembly in 1882 and 1883, and in 1890 was elected treasurer of Westchester county, the duties of which responsible office he dis- charged for two years, with the greatest fidelity and credit.
Mr. Hoag has been active in business circles. He was one of the organ- izers of the Westchester Furniture Company, in 1898. Its officers are James Hoag, president; C. P. Morden, Jr., secretary; Leslie R. Dickinson, treas- urer; and S. T. Kellogg, accountant. He is a trustee of the Sing Sing Sav- ings Bank, director and vice-president of the White Plains Bank and director of the First National Bank of Sing Sing, and has from time to time been prominently identified with other scarcely less important interests.
GEORGE E. THOMES, M. D ..
A leading physician and surgeon of Port Chester, New York, Dr. Thomes was born in Portland, Maine, June 12, 1858, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the Pine Tree state. His father, William H. Thomes, was born at Deering, near Portland, and was a son of Nathaniel and Maria (Day) Thomes, who were natives of the same place and lived upon the old homestead which has been in possession of the family for over one hundred and seventy-five years. The Doctor's great-grandfather Day was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and valiantly aided the colonies in their successful struggle for independence.
Reared on the old homestead, William H. Thomes spent the greater part of his life in his native state; but in 1849, during the gold excitement in California, he went to the Pacific slope and was quite successful in his min- ing operations there. After his return to Maine he engaged in the grain and flour business in Portland for several years, and this business also proved quite profitable. He was a very ambitious man, was large and powerful in build, and was a stanch Republican in politics. In early manhood he mar- ried Miss Frances E. Goodwin, a native of Buxton, Maine, and a daughter of Joseph and Lucy (Alden) Goodwin, the latter a descendant of the noted John Alden, who came to this country in the Mayflower. Mrs. Thomes died at the age of sixty-two years, and her husband at the age of fifty-eight, leav- ing four children.
Doctor Thomes made his home under the parental roof until his gradua- tion from Bowdoin College, in June, 1886, when he commenced the practice of medicine at Stoughton, Massachusetts, remaining there for three years. He then opened an office in Port Chester, New York, and was not long in building up the large and lucrative practice which he still enjoys. Doctor Thomes has ever been public-spirited and has lent hearty co-operation in all enterprises for the benefit of the general welfare. He built the White
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Plains and Port Chester sewers, the Pemblewort Bolt Works, the Putnam lake dam for the Greenwich Water Company, and the Port Chester Bolt & Nut Company's building.
On the 3d of September, 1890, Dr. Thomes was united in marriage to Miss Edith Farrington, of Stoughton, Massachusetts, a daughter of Samuel and R. Thedora (Talbot) Farrington, both natives of Stoughton and repre- sentatives of prominent old Massachusetts families. Her parents are still living, and the father is engaged in business. in his native town. To the Doctor and his wife has been born a daughter, Gladys Edith. They are members of the Congregational church and are quite prominent in the best social circles of Port Chester. Politically the Doctor is an ardent Repub- lican and an advocate of a high protective tariff, while socially he is a mem- ber of Mamaro Lodge, No. 653, F. & A. M., of Port Chester. Upright, reliable and honorable, his strict adherence to principle commands the respect of all. The place he has won in the medical profession is accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability, and the place which he occupies in the social world is a tribute to that genuine worth and true nobleness of character which are universally recognized and honored.
LEWIS C. PLATT.
The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this memoir, was one of the most illustrious citizens of White Plains, Westchester county. He was born in North Castle, in March, 1818, a son of Benoni Platt, who was a farmer in that town. He obtained an education by attending the academy at Bedford village and later Union College, in 1834, in a class that included a number of men since prominent in public life. He studied law under the auspices of Samuel E. Lyon, in White Plains, was admitted to the bar, and in 1843 opened an office for himself and was soon among those of the first rank of the county bar.
In early life Mr. Platt was a Whig, and by that party he was elected supervisor of the town of White Plains in 1846. The next year he was elected surrogate of this county, and by re-election served two terms of four years each. He was the first surrogate elected in Westchester county, the office having previously been an appointive position. Dur- ing the last year of his term as surrogate he was selected as the candi- date for county clerk on the fusion Whig-Democratic ticket against John P. Jenkins; but the "American" party was then at its crest of popular- ity in this county-which indeed was a stronghold of "Know-nothingism" -and the ticket was defeated. Following the leaders of the old Whig
L & Platt
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organization into the new Republican party, Mr. Platt was a Republican on the issues of the civil war, but disagreed with the "radical " policy after the war and became a "Liberal," supporting Horace Greeley for the presidency of the United States. Both Democratic and Liberal leaders urged upon him the nomination for congress, believing he could redeem the district from the Republicans; but he declined to make the fight. He ever afterward was a thoroughgoing Democrat.
In the early '70s Mr. Platt was for two terms a trustee of the village of White Plains. In 1883 local Democrats sought the strength of his name on the head of the Democratic ticket, as a candidate for supervisor against Elisha Horton, the popular Republican who had in a Democratic town defeated strong opponents, and Mr. Platt was elected by the splendid majority of one hundred and sixty-eight; and for nine successive years after he had no opposition for the Democratic nomination for supervisor; and with the excep- tion of one year his election was practically unopposed by the Republicans. Had he lived a few weeks longer he would again have been placed at the head of the town's affairs. He was one of the best inforined members of the board of supervisors, and had for a number of years been chairman of the judiciary committee of that body.
The strength of his popularity as a. Democrat was sought in 1883, when he was solicited by many shrewd Democratic leaders to accept the office of county judge, in order to wrest the county court from the Republi- cans, who had held possession of it for twenty-four years, and who at this time intended to put forward their strongest candidate, Isaac N. Mills. The name of Mr. Platt, who was evidently the popular candidate, elicited the greatest enthusiasm, and his canvass would have been a " walk-over " had he been nominated.
During the forty years and more that Mr. Platt practiced law in White Plains, he transacted a great volume of business, especially in matters con- nected with real estate and the surrogate's office, his industry being indefati- gable and his days of work long and hard to the very last of his life.
When his son, District Attorney William P. Platt, became of age, he made him his partner, and the firm of L. C. & W. P. Platt long ranked among the highest at the bar.
In religion Mr. Platt was a Presbyterian and a regular attendant at the Presbyterian church; and in fraternal relations he was the oldest member of White Plains Lodge, No. 473, F. &. A. M., having joined May 15, 1859.
He was married during his first term as surrogate, to Miss Laura Popham, of Scarsdale, who survives him. His children numbered five daughters and three sons. He died March 13, 1893, and the funeral services, held at the Presbyterian church, were attended by an immense throng; and had the 4
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church been twice the size it would have hardly accommodated all who desired to pay a last tribute of respect to his memory. The most prominent men throughout the county were present, as well as many fellow craftsmen of his lodge, who passed hearty resolutions of respect to his memory. Also the courts adopted appropriate resolutions. Rev. Dr. A. R. Macoubrey, his pastor, who could not be present at the funeral on account of illness, wrote the following tribute, which was read on the occasion:
Nothing since I have been laid aside in illness has moved me to so deep regret as that I am unable to stand in my place in his funeral services and utter my tribute of respect and love for Mr. Lewis C. Platt. I did not know that he was ill till the day upon the evening of which he died. I at once sent words of greeting from my siek room to his, but ere they could reach him God had seen it best that the end of the earthly life should be, and the rest eternal and perfect should be his. One cannot but be grateful that the experience of long distressing illness was not his ere the finger of God's silence was put upon his lips. One could not but be grateful, too, for the spirit that was his. I have wondered if ever any came to know him as he really was without loving him, his was so eminently and really an unselfish spirit. How many stories of his kindness will be told in the houses in this community! He was so frank and honest in every revelation of himself that all came instinctively to love him.
One in another part of this state, who himself had held a position of influence, once said to me that, from his ability and spirit in the days of his power, Mr. Platt could have occupied the highest position in our state had the spirit of ambition possessed him. I have known him but in these years of his age since his three-score years and ten. There has been indeed in his physique the suggestion of years; but one forgot this in his active life, quick step, clear, vigorous intellect, sustained interest in all the welfare of the com- munity and of those with whom he was associated in life. Who that knew him was ready to have him go hence? But the Lord has chosen, and there is never error in his judgment or failure in his love; and gently as a father dealeth with his little child he has taken him unto himself.
Shut within my room these weeks, I have no word from him in his ill- ness to bear unto my speech; but I know of his simple, earnest faith in Christ and of the tender turning of his spirit toward the cross, through which alone our spirits know pardon, cherish hope and pass on unto the life eternal.
In the vision of my congregation as it now comes before me, no face is more distinct than his. Always was he in his place in the Sabbath morning, and in the Sabbath afternoon service also, listening with an earnestness that made my gaze often seek his face. I shall so miss his presence from the inspirations and helps in the worship of the Lord's house! However early I was in entering the church I was rarely there before him. Often a few words of salutation would be exchanged on my way to the pulpit. I must wait now to see his face again and get his greeting, and see the revelation of his ten- der, true spirit until it is in our Father's house on high.
And so we go hence, one by one.
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BENJAMIN WATSON STILWELL.
When New York was in possession of a Dutch colony, occupying the lower Hudson valley, Nicholas Stilwell, about the year 1638, crossed the Atlantic from the county of Surrey, England, and took up his abode in the New Netherlands. The history of the family in England can be traced back to 1324, the name dating from the time when surnames were first given. Nicholas Stilwell located on Manhattan island, at Turtle Bay and was driven from that place by an Indian uprising. He then took refuge at the fort and subsequently settled at Gravesend, where he resided until a few years prior to his death, removing to Staten island in 1671.
The story of his life rivals in interest and adventure that of Captain Miles Standish or of Captain John Smith. In the Indian uprising of 1643 he commanded troops that defended Gravesend, and after the repulse of the savages and the signing of the treaty of peace he left for Virginia, where in the spring of 1648 a terrible massacre had been perpetrated. Falling back to the York river, he was again in command of a troop of horse which he successfully led against the Indian chief Opechancanaugh, and upon the death of that chieftain Captain Stilwell withdrew and recruited a company, which was engaged in Clayborne's rebellion in Maryland, and for which service the assembly of the province of Maryland issued a proclama- tion placing a penalty upon his head. Clayborne once established in power, he no longer needed the services of Captain Stilwell, who then returned to New Amsterdam, where he dwelt with his family, his home being on what is . now the corner of Maiden Lane and Pearl street. He was also prominent in the civil affairs of the district, served as magistrate for several terms and was also president of the court martial in Brooklyn. From New York he removed to Gravesend and owned one of the original twenty-acre farms there. He subsequently resided upon two hundred acres of land on North river, between the villages of New Utrecht and Gravesend, and while there was directed by the governor-general to remove into the village for protection from the Indians, but was able to satisfy the commander that he was amply protected and accordingly remained upon his farm. The Esopus war broke out in 1663 and he was commissioned lieutenant and later ensign in charge of the expedition. After quelling that disturbance he returned to the defense of New Amsterdam, where the authority of the Dutch was being contested by Connecticut as belonging to England. At that time Christie, proclaiming the country an English possession, was met with the resistance of Nicholas Stilwell and his followers, and upon his refusal to accede to Mr. Stilwell's demands the latter arrested him. This act was regarded by many as a very rash procedure and one which exceeded his authority, but subsequent events
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more than acquitted Mr. Stilwell and won him the unanimous approval of the people. He was regarded as Governor Stuyvesant's right-hand man, was very loyal to him and refused to countenance the plots against him.
Nicholas Stilwell subsequently sold his farm and removed to the eastern side of Staten Island, where he resided at the time of the transfer of the gov- ernmental power of New York colony to the English. When the govern- ment of Staten island was estalibshed he became a very prominent man in its affairs and up to the day of his death was active and influential in public life. He was a man of marked individuality and great force and strength of character, and to a well developed physique, inured to hardship and toil, he added an iron will. If he was called violent and unreasonable and a dis- turber of the peace it was only by a crowd of malcontents and wrong-doers against whom, single-handed and alone, he manfully stood for measures which time proved to be of great public benefit. He died December 28, 1671. His children were Richard, born in 1636; Nicholas, in 1638; Ann, in 1639; Alice, in 1644; William; in 1648; Thomas, in 1651; Daniel, in 1653; Mary, the date of whose birth is unknown; and Jeremiah, born in 1663.
The second son of this family, Captain Nicholas Stilwell, Jr., resided at Gravesend and rivaled his father in prominence. He died about the year 1715, after an active, useful and honorable life of seventy-seven years. He was one of the most extensive land-owners of Kings county. In 1663 he served as one of the justices of Yorktown; in 1683 was sheriff of Kings county; in 1685, 1688, 1689 and 1693 he was one of the justices of that county; in 1689 he was captain of the Gravesend militia; from 1691 until 1694 and again in 1698 he was a member of the colonial assembly from Kings county; in 1693, was connected with Kings county contingent and was ordered to pro- ceed against the French and Indians. He discharged all his duties, both civil and military, with marked ability, and was a very popular and promi- nent man. He was three times married, his first union being with Rebecca Bayliss, his second with Catherine Morgan. The first name of his third wife was Elizabeth, but her surname is not known.
Among liis children was Nicholas Stilwell, who first married Micah Lake, and in 1793 wedded Elizabeth Cornell. He was the owner of a large estate and held a number of official positions in Queens county. Among his children was John Stilwell, the great-grandfather of Benjamin Watson Stil- well, of this review. He was born in 1690, and at different times resided at Springfield and Jamaica, Long Island. He was married in 1721 to Eleanor Furman, and their children were William, John and Stephen.
Stephen Stilwell, the grandfather of our subject, was born at Flushing, Long Island, October 27, 1760, and carried on business in New York city as an importer of fine and rare furniture. He was also an extensive glass manu-
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facturer of Woodstock, Long Island, at one time, and owned and operated a tide-water mill at Jamaica, Long Island, where he made his home for a num- ber of years. He served for many years in the United States custom- house in New York city, and became a man of considerable wealth, retiring at an early age from business to enjoy the comforts of country life. He died at Marbletown, Long Island, in 1847, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Moore, was born December 10, 1765, and they were married on Long Island June 10, 1784. Their children were: Rev. William M., who was born December 10, 1787, and was married March 1, 1810, to Sallie Bloom Sands, who died in 1846, at the age of eighty years. Stephen, born July 13, 1791, served as an officer in the cus- tom-house in New York city, and was married January 18, 1815, to Catherine Brevier, who was born September 29, 1789. Jane M., born April 24, 1796, became the wife of Willian Jewett, April 7, 1817. Silas M., born June 6, 1800, served as marshal of New York city for many years, was also a prom- inent member of the state legislature and the author of the Stilwell act, and was associated with Secretary Chase in formulating the present national banking system. Samuel, born March 23, 1798, married Maria Bloom, in April, 1819; and John, the youngest, is the subject of the next paragraph.
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