USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 29
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idea of the elevator occurred to him. The story of bis invention has been told as follows: During the building and equipment of this factory it became necessary to construct an elevator for use on the premises, during the erec- tion of which Mr. Otis developed some original devices, the most important of which was one for preventing the fall of the platform in case of the break- ing of the lifting rope. The machine attracted the attention of some New York manufacturers, and soon afterward he secured several orders for eleva- tors to go to that city. This was the beginning of the elevator business. So successful was Mr. Otis in the manufacture and the constant improvement of his new machine that he was obliged to withdraw from the Bedstead Manufacturing Company and confine himself entirely to the construction of elevators. He exhibited his new elevator at the Crystal Palace, London, in 1851, where he attracted considerable attention by running the elevator car to a considerable height while standing upon it and then cutting the rope. The car did not fall, and by thus demonstrating his own confidence in the usefulness of the invention, orders for the machines rapidly increased. Be- fore the year of his death (1861), he had built up an extensive business and the Otis elevator had become well known. In addition to his original inven- tion, he constantly made improvements in the construction of the elevator, and was also the inventor of many important mechanical devices. In per- sonal character Mr. Otis was a man of great worth and integrity. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of this city and was also a strong anti-slavery and temperance man. From 1854 to 1858 from five to fifteen men were employed, and the foreman was Charles R. Otis, his eldest son.
About 1859 or 1860, Mr. Elisha G. Otis designed, constructed and pat- ented an independent engine capable of high speed, to raise or lower the platform or car. This hoisting engine marked the beginning of the system of steam elevators. In 1860 and 1861 Charles R. Otis invented and patented many important improvements. After the death of Elisha G. Otis in 1861, the Otis Brothers-Charles R. and Norton P .- formed a partnership for the continuance of the business. The beginning of the civil war stimulated trade in' war materials, and elevators came into demand for various business houses. Attention to business was required, and both brothers gave close attention to the developing industry. Charles R. Otis worked throughout the day, and sometimes during the entire night. Both sons made many inventions and improvements. Norton P. Otis spent much of his time visiting towns and cities throughout the country introducing the elevator.
In 1864 J. M. Alvord had become a partner, and the company was known as Otis Brothers & Company. In 1867 Mr. Alvord sold his interest to the Otis Brothers, after which a stock company was formed. Charles R.
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Otis was made president, Norton P. Otis, treasurer, and N. H. Stockwell, secretary. Mr. Stockwell resigned the same year, and J. L. Hubbard became secretary. The manufactory, at the corners of Woodworth, Wells and Ra- vine avenues, has been occupied since 1868. In 1872 business had increased to such an extent that during that year it amounted to three hundred and ninety-three thousand dollars. After the company was incorporated the busi- iness continued to increase rapidly until, in 1882, it was established on a basis of over six hundred thousand dollars, and rapidly increasing. In June, 1882, the brothers retired, selling their interest to a syndicate of capitalists. Later on the control returned to them again, and Charles R. was made presi- dent, which position he held until 1890, when he retired, and since then his brother, Norton P. Otis, has been the president of the company. The offi- cers of the company at the present time are: President, Norton P. Otis; vice president and secretary, Abraham G. Mills; and treasurer and general manager, William Delavan Baldwin.
Employment is given in this city to about five hundred men, and there is a constructing force of about one hundred and fifty constantly engaged in setting up elevators throughout the country. They have recently perfected. an electric elevator. The company has adopted, and made part of its sys- tem, an electric motor, invented by the late Rudolph Eickemeyer, of this city. Its valuable features are that it starts and stops with the car, thus economizing power, and it is perfectly under the control of the operator. The Otis elevators in use in New York city carry daily over four hundred thousand passengers. These elevators are also used in the Eiffel tower at Paris, Washington monument (D. C.), Niagara Falls tower, the great trestle used by the Hudson County Railroad at Weehawken, New Jersey, and were used in the great manufactures and liberal arts building at the World's Fair of 1893 at Chicago. They are also in use in every city of America, every large city in Europe, and in South America and Australia, and quite a num- ber in Egypt and China. The Otis Elevating Railroad in the Catskills, which carries passengers up an incline seven thousand feet in length in ten minutes, saving a journey by stage of four hours' duration, and the Prospect Mountain Inclined Railway at Lake George, were built by this company.
WILLIAM H. HYLER.
A well known druggist and one of the prominent and representative busi- ness men of Port Chester is William H. Hyler, who is a native of New York city, where he was born January 6, 1846, a son of Adonijah Hyler, who spent his entire life in the metropolis as an extensive contractor and builder. The father also owned a large lumber-yard and a sash and blind factory on 125th
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street, and met with a well merited success in his undertakings, continuing to be actively engaged in business until a short time before his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six years of age. He was truly a self-made man, for he began life for himself without capital or the aid of influential friends, and he not only gained a handsome competence, but by his upright and honorable career won the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact. The Hyler family was founded in America by three brothers, natives of Germany, among whom was the great-grandfather of our subject. The grandfather was born in New York city, but when a young man he removed to Albany, New York, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. Our subject's mother was Catherine Ann Paris, of New York, who died at the age of sixty-seven years, leaving one son and six daughters. She was a prominent and faithful member of the Methodist church.
Reared in New York, William H. Hyler began his education in the 125th street public school, and later attended Patterson's private academy. Soon after leaving the latter institution he began clerking in a tea broker's office, where he remained until after the outbreak of the civil war. In February, 1862, he enlisted as landsman private in the United States Navy, and the vessel to which he was assigned formed a part of the Atlantic squadron, but it afterward went to the Pacific coast and was given up as lost. Before his term expired Mr. Hyler was discharged on account of physical disability caused by exposure, but after remaining at home a short time he re-enlisted, December 5, 1864, in the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, as private, and was sent to Hart Island. He was on specialty duty in taking soldiers to the field and bringing back rebel prisoners for two or three months, and then rejoined his regiment, going from Washington, D. C., to Virginia. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Augusta, Georgia, and returned home.
Mr. Hyler then entered Packard's Business College, where he was gradu- ated in the same class as General E. A. McAlpin, late assistant adjutant-gen- eral of the state of New York. In 1867 Mr. Hyler went to Bridgeport, Con- necticut, where he clerked for some time in the drug store of his brother-in- law, C. G. Pendleton, and then attended the College of Pharmacy, New York, graduating at that institution in 1869, after which he accepted a posi- tion in the drug store of George C. Close, of Brooklyn, who was president of the college. Coming to Port Chester in 1872, Mr. Huyler has made his home here continuously since, and previously to 1876 engaged in the drug business in the old building now occupied by William J. Foster's ice-cream factory. For a short time he engaged in business in the store occupied by John Reid, but removed to the Centennial building on its completion, April 1, 1876, and
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has since carried on operations there with most gratifying success, building up a large and lucrative trade. 1
Mr. Hyler married Miss Carrie E. Sniffin, of Port Chester, and to them were born two children: Carrie Frances, now the wife of W. D. Lippincott; and E. Agnes, at home.
In 1873 Mr. Hyler joined the Harry Howard Hook & Ladder Company, and was honored by his comrades by an election as assistant foreman, serv- ing in that capacity for two years, and later as foreman for three years. He also joined Company I, Twenty-seventh Regiment, National Guards, State of New York, and was elected first lieutenant, being commissioned by Governor S. J. Tilden. On the resignation of Captain Charles J. Chatfield he was made commanding officer and served as such for two years. He had com- mand of the company at the time of the great railroad riots, as Captain Chatfield was unable to leave the village. Politically he is a stanch Repub- lican, and for four years most acceptably served as postmaster at Port Ches- ter, under Harrison's administration. In 1878 he was elected coroner, and so satisfactorily did he perform the duties of that office that he was elected for a second term three years later. He became a member of Charles Law- rence Post, G. A. R., on its organization, served as its commander several terms, has been honored by an appointment on the staff of the department commander, and now holds the position of post quartermaster. He also belongs to Mamaro Lodge, F. & A. M .; Wappannoco Tribe, I. O. R. M .; Court Poningoe, O. F. A .; Port Chester Council, R. A .; and the Firemen's Benevolent Fund Association. For six years he has served as school director, has been vestryman of St. Peter's church several years, and at present is one of the trustees of the Free Library and Reading Room, and also one of the trustees of public lands. It will thus be seen that he has been prominently identified with public affairs in the village, and he has always been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him.
J. CLARENCE SMITH.
J. Clarence Smith, an enterprising young business man of Mount Ver- non, Westchester county, resides at No. 98 West Lincoln avenue. He was born in Orange county, New York, in the village of Mount Hope, October 24, 1863, his parents` being William and Margeret (Niver) Smith. Jesse Smith, the paternal grandfather of our subject, lived on Long Island in his early life and followed the occupation of farming, as had his father, Wessel Smith, before him. Jesse Smith served in the war of 1812, and was after- ward granted a pension. When about twenty-five years of age, and unmar- ried, he went to the vicinity of Mount Hope and taught school for several
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years. There he married and had six children, namely: Jesse, Jr., Will- iam, Emeline, Charles, Sallie and Arminta. He died at the advanced age of ninety-two years, and his wife was three-score and ten at the time of her demise. Politically, he was a Democrat, and for a period was a justice of the peace. In the Baptist church he was considered quite a leader, and for his day he was a man of exceptionally good education and general attain- ments.
William Smith, mentioned above, was born in the neighborhood of Mount Hope and was a graduate of Ridgebury Academy. He met with a serious accident when he was about seventeen, a tree falling upon him. The doctors insisted that his leg should be amputated, but he fought their deci- sion and would not permit the operation to be performed. It was fully two years ere he regained the use of the injured member, and afterward, when he presented himself as a volunteer for the Union service, he was rejected on account of his partially crippled state. He taught school for a number of years in his home district, and later, at North Moreland, Pennsylvania, for some three or four years. He followed the same calling in Centerton, Huron county, Ohio, several years. He was married, for the first time, in Ohio, bringing his wife to the old homestead in Orange county, New York, where she died in 1869. The remains were taken to her Ohio home for burial. In 1877 he sold his Orange county property and settled in New York city, where he resided up to the time of his death in November, 1884, at the age of fifty-nine years. While living in the city he was engaged in the novelty business for a few years. He was a Democrat, and while in Orange county was a justice of the peace for a time. He had but two chil- dren, -J. Clarence, and Alice, Mrs. Theodore Green, of Mount Vernon. He died in New York city in 1882, and was taken to Otisville, Orange county, for burial.
The education of J. Clarence was obtained in the public schools of Mount Hope and New York. Just before the time for his graduation he embarked in business life as a clerk at No. 229 Broadway, New York. He remained there for a year and then clerked for two years in a tea and coffee store on Greenwich street, which position he left when seventeen years of age, going to Greenwich, Ohio, where he established a small tea and coffee business, which was not successful.
Returning to New York a year later, chagrinned at his failure and dis- gusted with that line of business, he secured employment from a firm in New York city doing a retail business in milk, cream and other dairy products, where by close economy and strict attention to business he was enabled, after two years, to buy a half interest in a small milk route in Mott Haven, New York city. A little more age and experience, together with the con- 47
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stant thought of his first unsuccessful effort, made him determined that this venture should not fail. The business prospered, and after six years, during which time it had increased to five routes, Mr. Smith, seeing the great oppor- tunities offered to an enterprising business in Mount Vernon, then a town of about six thousand, but destined to be, as it is to-day, a city of homes, decided to sell out and locate there, which he did in 1890, forming a co-part- nership with A. W. Halstead and establishing the Willow Brook Dairy, which has become a household word in Mount Vernon. In 1896 a branch was established in New Rochelle, and in 1897 the Willow Brook creamery was built by the firm at Merwinsville, Connecticut, in the famous Housatonic valley, where the grass and pure spring water is peculiarly adapted to pre- serving in milk a quality and flavor unsurpassed by any other section. The plant is a model of its kind, having perfect natural drainage and pure spring water piped to all parts of the building, which is constructed on the most approved scientific plans for convenience and cleanliness, and health boards and dairy inspectors who have visited the establishment have no hesitancy in pronouncing its equipment and the methods there employed second to none. Here at the present time are received daily over twelve thousand pounds of milk, the greater portion of which is put up in glass jars and shipped to Mount Vernon and New Rochelle. This firm was one of the first to demon- strate the necessity, in these days of bacteria, microbes and disease germs, of employing centrifugal force to prevent their growth in milk. That this method is successful is proven by the uniform quality and fine flavor of milk so treated, at all seasons and regardless of climatic changes. The firm is now running ten retail wagons and employ twenty men, doing a business of over eighty thousand dollars per annum. Mr. Smith has devoted a great deal of time and serious study to the matter of rendering the products which he buys and sells absolutely pure. The results of the labor and money which he has invested in perfecting the processes used in his various plants are most satisfactory, and he now stands at the head of the live, energetic men whose duty it is to supply the people of the great cities adjacent with pure, wholesome milk and dairy products. While the state board of health requires three per cent. of butter-fat in milk, an average of four and a half per cent. is to be found in the milk handled by this firm.
August 10, 1885, Mr. Smith married Miss Minnie J. Carey, and they have two sons, William Carey and Leland Clarence. Mrs. Smith is a daugh- ter of Dr. J. M. Carey, a retired physician of Elmira, New York. He has been a very prominent man in his profession and was a member of the Penn- sylvania legislature some years ago, being elected to represent Wyoming county. He is a veteran of the civil war, enlisted as a private, and was pro- moted for gallant conduct to be captain of his company. He was wounded
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at the battle of the Wilderness, but later rejoined his regiment and served until the close of the war in a cavalry regiment, which did good service at the battle of Gettysburg and other important engagements. He now receives a pension for his brave and loyal support of the Union in its time of need. Some of his ancestors suffered in the dreadful Wyoming massacre.
ULRIC XAVIER GRIFFIN.
The Griffin family is an old and honored one in America. The progeni- tors of the American branch came from England more than two hundred years ago. Francis Griffin, grandfather of Ulric Xavier Griffin, was a native of New York city and became eminent as a lawyer, and was for many years at the head of the celebrated Wall street law firm of Francis Griffin & Com- pany. He married Mary Sands, a daughter of an old family of prominence, and she bore him three sons and two daughters: Edward Dorr Griffin, of whom more will be said later; Charles Griffin, well known as a civil engineer; George, now retired from business pursuits; Theresa, wife of General Velie, of New York city; and Emily Seaton, who married Colonel Lyneviet, of the German army and lives at Dresden. Edward Dorr Griffin received a liberal education in the United States and Germany. He was educated for the law but never practiced his profession, preferring to live the life of a private gentleman at New Rochelle. He married Elizabeth Hicks and in course of time the elegant Hicks homestead came into his possession and was his home until his death. He had five children, of whom Ulric Xavier was the last born, February 21, 1862. Francis, the eldest, is a prominent lawyer of Brooklyn. Richard has attained standing as an actor. Charles is a popular physician. Julia became Mrs. Wheeler.
Ulric Xavier Griffin was educated at Fordham College. Immediately after his graduation at that institution in 1878 he took up politics and at once became active as a worker for the success of the Republican party. But, prominent as he grew to be in local political councils, he was not an office-seeker, nor did he accept any one of the several offered him for the taking until, some years ago, with the interests of the village foremost in his mind, he consented to become a member of the board of trustees of New Rochelle. Under the city organization he was, in 1897, nominated by the Republicans and endorsed by the Democrats for alderman from the second ward. He was elected practically without opposition and re-elected in the same manner in 1899. Mr. Griffin has been a model alderman, and a board composed of such aldermen would put any city in the country on a high place politically and morally. It is to be regretted that more men of his ability and sterling honesty cannot be induced to take an active interest in
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municipal affairs. He has made his influence felt as a delegate to conven- tions year after year, and as a member of the board of health has been of great service to the city. He has " served his time " in the fire department as a member of Huguenot Engine company and is now an exempt fireman. His liking for sports afield and astream has made him a member of the National Sportsmen's Association. He is a member of the Knights of Co- lumbus and of other leading secret and social organizations. Mr. Griffin was married May 28, 1883, to Margaret Day, a woman of many accomplishments, who has borne him four children: Lilian, Malvern, Francis and Olive.
Mr. Griffin is one of New Rochelle's most public-spirited and helpful citizens and has always given freely of his time and means to advance every deserving local interest. He is one of the few men who have had to do with the municipal affairs of the little city who have had the time to study the city's needs and to lead in the work of supplying them, and his influence is of a character that renders it indispensable when the public good is considered.
CHARLES W. CARPENTER.
Charles W. Carpenter, proprietor of Sunnyside Farm, near Jefferson Valley post office, Westchester county, is one of the best-known agri- culturists of this county. He has been a life-long resident within its borders, and first saw the light of day in the old family homestead at Shrub Oak, September 18, 1855. His father, John W. Carpenter, was born in the same house, thirty-six years previously, in 1819, and passed his entire life in that neighborhood. He died when in his seventy-third year, October 16, 1891, mourned by those who had been closely associated with him in business and social relations. His wife, Eliza, the daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Baker) Horton, died in October, 1892.
Among the oldest and most prominent residents of Shrub Oak was John Wilson Carpenter, who was born January 7, 1817. His parents were Walter Carpenter and Ann née Summerbell. His paternal ancestors were from the north of England, while his maternal were Scotch. John Wilson Carpenter received a common-school education. Much of his life was spent on his farm at Shrub Oak. He was also for a number of years proprietor of the Carpenter House, at Lake Mahopac, where he spent the summer months. Mr. Carpenter was a progressive and enterprising citizen. He represented his town (Yorktown township) in the board of supervisors dur- ing the years 1877-80. He was married November 22, 1850, to Eliza Horton, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Baker) Horton, and by their union they had three children: Charles W., Walter and Jennie. The last named resides with her brother, Walter, at Lake Mahopac.
you Very truly
fortin Er Carpenter
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In his youth Charles W. Carpenter mastered the various departments of farm work and became proficient in the three "R's" and other branches of learning taught in the district schools of the period. He concluded to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors in the choice of an occupation, and the prosperity which has crowned his efforts proves the wisdom of his decision in this important matter. About two decades ago he purchased the beauti- ful farm where he is still living. This property comprises two hundred and fifteen acres, suitable for general farming and stock-raising. The fine large barns and dairy-rooms are among the most notable features of the place, everything being kept in excellent condition. The barn has box-stalls for the accommodation of forty horses, and the owner justly prides himself on several of his fine horses, which occupy the said stalls. In fact, Sunnyside Farm is one of the best stocked farms in the county, and over its pleasant green pastures large droves of high-grade Holstein cattle roam at will. The farm is located about seven miles from Peekskill and is an ideal country seat in every respect. The proprietor is a practical farmer and uses good judgment in the management of all of his business affairs. He is broad- minded and liberal upon all questions and uses his franchise independent of party ties.
On the 17th of April, 1887, Mr. Carpenter was married in New York city, the lady of his choice being Miss Viola Hart, daughter of John C. Hart, who for many years was a successful merchant of New York city and is now deceased. His wife, Mary Ann, was a daughter of Stephen Allen, who was mayor of that metropolis in the early days. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Car- penter attend the Shrub Oak Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Carpenter is a consistent member. They contribute liberally of their means to the support of the church and kindred organizations. Their hospitality and generosity are matters of comment among their numerous friends and acquaintances, and all who know them are their well-wishers.
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