USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 17
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He is a son of William and Catherine (Acker) Bare, and was born Octo- ber 22, 1837, in the town of Greenburg, as were his parents and maternal grandparents. His grandfather, Edward Bare, was a native of England who came to this country before the war of the Revolution and did valiant service in the struggle for independence. He was twice married, first to Miss Horn, and secondly to Catherine Bond, who belonged to one of the old New Jersey families. William Bare, the father, was born in the town of Greenburg in 1787, was a prominent and substantial farmer of that time, and died in 1856. His wife, née Catherine Acker, was a native of the same place as was her father, Abraham Acker, who was here reared to manhood and settled upon a farm at Hall's Corners. To William and Catherine Bare were born four
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children, viz .: Margaret, wife of John Buckhout, of Greenburg; Isaac H., who died in 1895; Susan, wife of John Acker; and Abram, our subject.
Abram Bare spent the greater portion of his childhood in Hall's Corners, where he was a student of the district school until his fifteenth year. After that time he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one, when he began for himself in the field of husbandry. During his twenty-eighth year he was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Ann McFadden, a daughter of John and Ophelia (Hustes) McFadden, the former an early settler of the town of Greenburg and the latter a native of Mt. Pleasant. They have eight children, viz .: Edward I., of Yonkers; Sidney, of White Plains; Mary, wife of Norman Lander; Hattie, wife of William Uptegrove; and Florence, Abraham, Howard and William, all at home. After his marriage Mr. Bare settled upon the homestead of his father-in-law, John McFadden, and there has since conducted a general farming and dairying business. In 1876 he purchased the farm he now owns and operates. This farm consists of one hundred and eighty acres of land under a high state of cultivation, and he has still further added to its attractive appearance by the erection of large, commodious hay and cow barns, which are of modern construction and enable him to care for his herd of fifty or eighty-five cows with the least pos- sible trouble. He has a model dairy, the finest in the town. Mr. Bare is a Republican and has served one term as school trustee. He is a man of ster- ling character and occupies a high place in the regards of his neighbors.
LEMUEL MONMOUTH HART.
Mr. Hart is a retired farmer of Hartsdale, New York, in which state he- was born in December, 1830, in the town of Greenburg, Westchester county, on the old Hart homestead. The family were originally from England, and the first settlement made by any of them in this country was on Long Island, whence they moved to Westchester county, to what afterward became the town of Greenburg. The great-grandfather, Joseph Hart, settled on a por- tion of the grant of land which extended from the Harlem to the Croton river, the same having been originally owned by Frederick Phillips. After the Revolution this land was confiscated and sold to the squatters who had the first right to it. The maternal great-grandfather had also settled on a part of this grant of land. Monmouth Hart married, and his death occurred in 1832. Among his children was Monmouth Hart, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Westchester county and was a pioneer farmer. He had a family of eight children. One of them, Monmouth, the father of our subject, born and reared on the old homestead, married Julia Ann Tomp- kins, a daughter of Thomas Tompkins, who belongs to one of Westchester's.
Lemuel In Hart
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oldest families. She departed this life in 1893, leaving a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss. The father followed the occupation of a farmer, and was a very prosperous one. He was a Democrat in his political beliefs, but never suffered his name to appear in connection with candidacy for any office, although for a number of years he was captain of the state militia, to which he was deeply attached. His death occurred in 1845. He was a member of and liberal contributor to the Reformed church. Three sons were left to bat- tle with the world, -Joseph F., who is a resident of Illinois; and Thomas T. and Lemuel M., of Hartsdale.
Lemuel M. Hart was reared on his father's farm, learning well the routine of farm work. He received a good common-school education, and later attended a private school. He was about fifteen years old when his father died, and he at once took charge of the business, managing it most successfully with his brother Thomas, until 1894, when they disposed of the homestead and retired to Hartsdale. His success in farming is due largely to the fact that he worked intelligently and adopted modern methods when they were of actual service to him. His industry and thrift have enabled him to retire from the active duties of life and spend its evening in a manner more suited to advancing age.
HENRY SAMPSON CLARKE.
"Honesty," says Bovee, "is said to be the first step toward greatness; but the proverb fails to state the case strong enough: honesty is not only the first step toward greatness, it is greatness itself." A reputation for honesty leads to a good position, and this may be said to be at least one step toward the desired goal of life. From almost every sketch in this work we can draw some lessons of business, or of encouragement, or of noble aspiration; and with these motives we present a brief outline of the life career of Mr. Clarke, who is a teller in the Lincoln National Bank of New York city and the presi- dent of the village of New Rochelle.
Mr. Clarke is a native of New York city, born in April, 1862, the son of Hugh and Margaret (Sampson) Clarke. His father also was a native of that city, grew to manhood there and was sergeant of the New York police department, with which he was connected for a period of thirty-five years. He died in 1896, in his fifty-eighth year. In politics he was a pronounced Democrat. Our subject's mother, also a native of New York city, was a daughter of Henry Sampson, who was a native of England.
Mr. H. S. Clarke was reared in New York city, receiving his early education in the public schools, and he commenced his business career in the capacity of a clerk in a law office; next he was employed in a marine-insur- 40
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ance office; and in 1882 he entered the service of the Lincoln National Bank as paying teller, which responsible position he has ably filled to the pres- ent time.
In state and national matters he is a stanch Republican, and in local matters independent. He has served as trustee of the school district and as secretary of the board of education of New Rochelle for seven years; was also secretary of the school board for some time, and in 1892 was elected presi- dent of the village for the term of two years, and by re-election is still serving.
In 1882 he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie M. Oxner, a daugh- 'ter of John D. Oxner, who was the president of the Honston, West Street & Pavonia Ferry Railroad Company, of New York city. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have three children, -Mabel C., Mariette and John Oxner. The fine resi- dence of the family at 123 Woodland avenue, New Rochelle, was built in 1897, and is located in a fine residence district. The former home was at the corner of Elm street and Leland avenne. In fraternal matters Mr. Clarke is a member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., and in religion both himself and wife are members of Trinity Episcopal church in New Rochelle.
CARL WILHELM PLUME.
This estimable citizen of Mount Vernon was born May 13, 1857, in Goeritz, Germany, a son of Martin Frederick and Mary (Schmidt) Plume, his father having been a farmer by occupation. He received his education in the public schools of his native land, leaving thein at the age of fifteen to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. He was three years in the German army, as a member of the Sixty-sixth Infantry Regiment. He emigrated to Amer- ica in 1883, arriving June IIth, and continued to work at his trade and at carpentering in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1885 he came to Mount Vernon and was employed as a journeyman at his trade until some time in 1887, when he engaged in the business of contracting and building in partnership with Albert S. Jenks (see sketch of this gentleman), forming the firm of Jenks & Plume. This company erected the post-office building and the electric-light works, and over a hundred other structures in and about the city, employ- ing on average about fifty men; and they now have on hand contracts aggre- gating thirty thousand dollars; but they also build many houses of their own for sale on speculation. Mr. Jenks is the office manager, while Mr. Plume is the superintending architect.
In his political principles Mr. Plume is a Democrat, and he is a member of Hiawatha Lodge, No. 434, F. & A. M., of Golden Rod Council, No. 1316, Royal Arcanum, and of the Knights of Malta, of Mount Vernon.
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February 22, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Treto, daughter of John Treto, of Germany, and they have had five sons, -William, Albert V., George, Henry and Frederick. The last two are deceased. The family attend the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Plume is a member.
FRANK P. COXE.
The well known town clerk of Harrison township, and a prominent grocer of Harrison station, Mr. Frank P. Coxe, has a rather remarkable record, as he started out to make his own way in the world at the age of nine years. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual, and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determina- tion form the keynote of a man's life. Depending on his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, he has risen from comparative obscur- ity to a place of prominence both in the commercial and political world.
Mr. Coxe was born in New York city, July 4, 1860, amid the booming of cannons and the noise of fire-crackers on our great national holiday. His father, Christopher Coxe, who was a contractor and builder by occupation, was of English extraction and of good old Quaker stock, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Agatha Fitz, was of Irish and Ger- man descent. As previously stated, our subject began earning his own live- lihood at the age of nine years, and his educational privileges were therefore limited; but by practical experience in the business world he has become a well-informed man, especially on the leading questions and issues of the day. He was interested in railroading for a time, was collector for a business firm, and later was in the grocery and real-estate business in New York. He was always faithful to his employers' interests, and his services gave the utmost satisfaction to all concerned. Since 1892 he has been a resident of West- chester county, and successfully carried on business as a grocer at Harrison, where he soon succeeded in building up a good trade.
At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Coxe was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Seymour, of New York city, where she was reared and educated, and they have become the parents of three children, namely: Walter, Frank and Bertha.
Mr. Coxe is one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of his community, and gives a liberal support to all measures which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Harrison Fire Company, was one of those who called its first meetings, and from the beginning has been officially connected with the
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company; has been an efficient member of the school board, and emphasizes the necessity of improving the highways. Being careful and methodical in his way of doing business, he is now serving his third term as town clerk of Harrison township, the duties of which position he discharges with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. Politically he is a stalwart Democrat, and, though loyal to his party, at local elections he always supports the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party ties. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
THOMAS BREWER.
Thomas Brewer is one of the leading citizens of the village of Mamaro- neck. For many years he was prominently connected with its business interest, but is now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born on the 12th of April, 1832, in St. Columb, Cornwall, England, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Tink) Brewer. His father was an agriculturist and Thomas spent his early boyhood days upon the home farm, but while still quite young was apprenticed to the saddlery and harness-making trade, serving for the regular term of seven years. During that time he thoroughly mastered the business in every detail and became a proficient workman. At the age of twenty-one he was married and imme- diately afterward came to America, making the voyage on a sailing vessel which reached its destination after seven weeks spent upon the briny deep.
Mr. Brewer located in New Rochelle, New York, his place of settlement being influenced by the fact that it was the home of an old acquaintance,
Joseph Harvey. There he engaged in the manufacture of harness and sad- dlery for a number of years, and in 1854 came to Mamaroneck, where he carried on business along the same line for thirty years. Success attended his enterprise and well directed efforts, and his patronage constantly increas- ing he derived from his business an excellent income. He is now living retired, save that he is financially interested in the Union Savings Bank, and holds the office of vice-president in that institution.
In his political affiliations Mr. Brewer has always been a stalwart Repub- lican and takes an active interest in local politics, but has never been an aspirant for office. For nineteen years he has been a member of the Royal. Arcanum and in business and social circles he is held in the highest regard. He married Miss Ann Grigg, who was born and reared in Cornwall, England, and departed this life January 6, 1894.
Reuben G. Brewer, their only child, was born in New Rochelle, New York, on the 22d of July, 1853. He acquired his literary education in the schools of Westchester county and supplemented it by a commercial course.
1
Those Brewer
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in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, of New York city. At the time he completed his education, George I. Seney was president of the Metropolitan Bank, of New York. Going to Mr. Brewer's father, he told him he wished to take his son into the bank, and thus it was that at the age of sixteen years Reuben G. Brewer entered upon his career as a banker. His determination to master the business, his fidelity and efficiency, won him promotion to the rank of assistant teller, in which capacity he was serving at the time of the failure of the bank, in 1883. He then secured a position as bookkeeper in the Pacific Bank, at No. 470 Broadway, New York, where he remained until 1887, when he returned to his old home in Mamaroneck and became one of the organizers of the Union Savings Bank, of which he was made treasurer. In 1891 he aided in the organization of the Mamaroneck Bank and has con- tinuously filled the position of cashier, in addition to his duties as treasurer in the other bank. Long years of experience have given him a thorough understanding of the banking business, and his ability in the management of such institutions is unsurpassed in this section of the state. Other industries have also been benefited by his skillful direction and sound judgment, and he is now connected with the firm of Foshay & Brewer, the leading dealers in lumber, coal and hardware in the village.
In 1877 Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Irene E. Delanoy, of Mamaroneck, and they have five children: Reuben P., who is now book- keeper and assistant teller in his father's bank; Nellie, Winnifred, Irene and Elizabeth, all living at their pleasant parental home.
Mr. Brewer exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party in this locality. He has served as treasurer of the village and of the public-school fund of Mamaroneck, and has held the same office in the Methodist Episcopal church. He has discharged these official duties with the same thoroughness and fidelity that have char- acterized all his business transactions, and at all times he is found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him.
JOHN REEDY.
The genial and popular station agent at Pocantico Hills, Westchester county, was born March 26, 1852, in Kingston, Middlesex county, New Jer- sey, and is a son of John and Margaret (Reidener) Reedy. The father was of Irish parentage and was a railroad man by occupation. The boyhood and youth of our subject was passed in his native state and in New York, and his education was received in the public schools. In early life he learned teleg- raphy and soon became a good operator. He held a responsible position with
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the elevated railway in New York city for about twelve years before coming to Pocantico Hills, where he has made his home since 1887, and has served as station agent to the entire satisfaction of the railroad company.
In 1878 Mr. Reedy was united in marriage with Miss Ella McCarthy, by whom he has had nine children, but five died either in infancy or early child- hood. Those still living are Margaret, John, William and Leo. Mr. Reedy is a man just in the prime of life, weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, and reminds one very much of the Hon. Thomas Reed in physique and appear- ance.
By his ability as a railroad man he has gained the good will and esteem of his employers, and by his affable and jovial manner has won the high regard and friendship of those with whom he has come in contact either in business, social or political life. As a business man he is careful and methodi- cal, and duties entrusted to his care have been discharged with the utmost promptness and fidelity. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office, and he has served as tax-collector in his school district for five years. In 1888 he was appointed postmaster of Pocantico under President Cleveland, served also under President Harrison, and one year under Mckinley.
MERWIN SNIFFIN.
The gentleman whose name we place at the head of this review is classed with the leading merchants of White Plains, Westchester county, New York. In this county he was born and reared and here several genera- tions of the family have lived and died. The Sniffins are of English and Scotch descent. Representatives of the family came over to America at an early period in the history of this country and established their home in this county shortly after the removal of the Indians from this place. Here Ben- jamin Sniffin and Harris Sniffin, the grandfather and father of our subject, were born, the latter being a native of the town of Middle Patent, and by occupation a farmer and merchant. For many years he was engaged in business in Greenburg, where he was well and favorably known, and where he died, in 1849. His wife, the mother of our subject, was, before marriage, Miss Phobe Brundage. She was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, this county, and died in 1870, in her fifty-eighth year. Her father, Robert Brundage, was a native of the same county, and died here in 1832. Harris and Phoebe Sniffin had eight children, -four sons and four daughters. Three of the sons are business men of White Plains.
Merwin Sniffin was born in Greenburg, New York, May 13, 1834, and was reared chiefly in the town of Greenburg. Leaving school at the age of
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sixteen to assist his father in the store, he early acquired a knowledge of business and men. After some years spent in his father's store he engaged in business on his own account, opening up a stock of boots and shoes in White Plains, and continuing in business there until the outbreak of the civil war.
Disposing of his business interests, Mr. Sniffin enlisted, in 1862, in Com- pany B, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel William H. Morris and Captain E. W. Andrews. This regiment belonged to the Third Brigade, Third Division and Fifth Army Corps, and was commanded by General Warren. Mr. Sniffin with his command par- ticipated in a number of battles and small engagements and was in active duty until the close of the war. Among the prominent actions in which he took part were those of Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg and Cedar creek. His whole service was characterized by faithfulness and true bravery, and at the close of the war he was honorably discharged.
Returning to his home in White Plains in 1865, he has since resided here. The first year he was employed in work at the carpenter's trade; in 1867 he engaged in the grocery business, on the principal street of the town, where he soon by his courtesy and honorable business methods built up a good trade, and where he has since continued to do a prosperous business, and to-day he ranks with the leading and most successful merchants of White Plains.
In 1870 Mr. Sniffin married Miss Phoebe Martin, of Fordam, New York, daughter of Cornelius Martin. Their union has been blessed in the birth of one daughter, now the wife of F W. Clark, of Mount Vernon. By his second marriage Mr. Sniffin has two daughters, Mabel and Clara, both attend- ing school.
Like most veterans of the late war, Mr. Sniffin is identified with that popu- lar organization, the G. A. R., and has a membership in Cromwell Post. Also he is a member of White Plains Lodge, No. 473, F. & A. M., and in his polit- ical views he has always harmonized with the Republican party.
WILLIAM H. A. HORSFALL.
From most of the biographical material in this volume we draw lessons of ambition, industry, perseverance, integrity, etc., " for the young;" but in this instance we find a young man who in due time learned the lessons and has been improving by them from the very earliest practicable period to the present, and is pushing the older members of his profession hard and fast before him.
This young man was born January 22, 1871, in New York city, a son of
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John Henry and Julia (Lane) Horsfall. He received his education in the public schools of that city and subsequently pursued a course of scientific study under a private tutor for three years. Next, preparing himself for a high position as an architect, he completed a course of special training in the office of an architect and finally a special course in Pratt's Archi- tectural Institute. For the practice of his profession he first located at Mount Vernon and operated here for three years, and the next three years he followed the charms of his chosen art in New York city for the Suburban Finance and Construction Company. Meanwhile he continued his office at Mount Vernon; but, owing to the pressure of his rapidly growing practice here at Mount Vernon he has since confined himself to this place, in October, 1894, opening spacious offices at 2 and 4 Park avenue. In his work so far he has been chiefly engaged upon private residences. Among the more important public buildings which he has designed and built are the City Club building, the police headquarters, the Valentine storage house and St. Francis' church, Roman Catholic, in New York city, besides Henry Cannon's residence at Irvington and his own handsome country seat. During the short time he has been engaged in business in Mount Vernon he has planned and built one hun- dred and fifty houses, having as many as fifteen on hand at a time. He employs three assistants as draughtsmen at the office. He is a rising young man, and the brightest period of his life is still before him.
Socially he is very popular. He has served in the Eleventh Separate Company (military) of Mount Vernon, and he is a member of the Episcopal church.
November 6, 1895, he was married to Miss Alice Porter, of Lenox, Mas- sachusetts, a daughter of George Porter, of Revolutionary stock.
MICHAEL J. MARTIN.
The efficient assessor of Mount Pleasant township, and a prominent ma- son and contractor residing in North Tarrytown, Michael J. Martin was born on the 28th of September, 1854, on the same street where he now lives, a son of poor but worthy parents, both natives of the Emerald Isle. The fa- ther, Daniel Martin, was a teamster and remained in Ireland until 1846, when he came to the United States, with the hope of bettering his financial condition. At the old Matt street Catholic church, of New York city, he was united in marriage with Bridget McCaley, who made him a good wife and who is now living with our subject, at the age of seventy-six years, but the father's death occurred in 1869.
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