USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
The youthful hero of many a battle-field now entered upon another kind of warfare, the battle for a livelihood, and, as an initial step, served an apprenticeship to the trade of wagon-manufacturing, at Dobbs Ferry. In 1872, thoroughly master of the business which he was henceforth to pursue, he came to Yonkers, but within a short time he removed to Richmond, Vir- ginia. In that city he was employed in a factory situated in the same block as Libby Prison. At the end of four years he returned to Yonkers, where he established himself in business on Nepperhan avenue, and remained in that location until 1896. At that time he came to his present quarters, 257-259 South Broadway, a large and well equipped factory, where every facility for
760
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
turning out first-class work is at hand. Mr. Joslyn's business is steadily increasing in volume and importance.
Since the close of the war, our subject has been in thorough sympathy with the Grand Army of the Republic, and is now the senior vice-commander of Ketching Post, No. 60, of Yonkers. He has given his loyal assistance to the Republican party, and in the past has done some effective campaign work, such as making speeches on the principles and issues before the people.
In June, 1874, Mr. Joslyn married Miss Anna Brannock. They have had seven children, William, Virginia, George, Andrew J., Jr., Annie, Rebecca and Alice. The youngest daughter, Alice, has entered the silent land. The family have a pleasant home, at No. 332 Nepperhan avenue, where their many friends are always given a hospitable welcome.
THE HAYS AND ALLIED FAMILIES.
The important service rendered by the Jews in the war of the American Revolution, while as a matter of record it is not familiar to the general reader, it is noteworthy that though few in numbers they did more in proportion to the population toward establishing the independence of the Ameri- can colonies than those of any other nationality. They gave liberally of their means and made great personal sacrifices for the cause; and but for the great liberality and timely assistance of one man, Hyams Salomon, it would have been almost impossible to have maintained an army in the field and carried on the financial affairs of the government. The ancestors of Daniel P. Hays were among the most ardent and self-sacrificing of the patriots, as shown by the public records.
The early ancestors of the Hays family came to New Netherlands from Holland in the latter part of the seventeenth century. According to a tradi- tion preserved by the late William Henry Hays, of New York, who derived from his father, Jacob Hays, the rank of high constable, they came in their own ship, with their own servants, cattle, seeds and tools of agriculture. Their first settlement was near New Rochelle in Westchester county, New York, where Michael and David Hays, his brothers, were born. David Hays, the paternal ancestor of Daniel P., was born near New Rochelle, in March, 1732, and died at Mount Pleasant, October 17, 1812. An unverified tradi- tion gives to him a sword, now belonging to Miss Elvira Nathan Solis, on which is inscribed the following Spanish legend: "Draw me not without reason: sheath me not without honor."
At the outbreak of the Revolution Michael Hays, then a farmer at North- castle (also trader and merchant), and his youngest brother, David, who had served in the New York contingent at Braddock's defeat on the 9th of July,
Daulfffayo
761
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
1755, had returned to peaceful occupations as a farmer and store-keeper at Bedford. Michael was a man advanced in years. From a fragment of a memorandum in his handwriting it appears that in 1776 or earlier he was driven from his farm, which remained for six years in the hands of the enemy. With the farm the enemy likewise took possession of seventy-four head of cattle and other stores, the list of which was upon the missing fragments of the record. Bolton, in his history of Westchester county, states that on July 2, 1779, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, with a party of British light horse, rode into Bedford and fired it. It is possible that the stores referred to had been gathered for the colonial army, and that their presence at Hays' farm was the cause of the enemy's descent thereon; for the tradition concern- ing the burning of David Hays' house at Bedford in 1779 connects the absence of one of its protectors, the eldest son, Jacob (afterward high constable of the city of New York), with a successful attempt to drive cattle through the enemy's lines to the army of the United States. Among the papers of Dan- iel P. Hays is a mutilated memorandum, in the hand-writing of David Hays, of which nearly all the superscription is illegible except the words, "when the enemy came to Bedford and burned my house on the eleventh of July, 1779." By this statement there appears a difference of nine days from the time mentioned in Bolton's History of Westchester County.
David Hays and most of the other heads of families were absent with the patriotic army. Jacob Hays was one of a party of young men and boys that had undertaken to get through the enemy's lines and into the American camp the cattle that had been collected for this purpose at Bedford. The British raid may well have been for the purpose of preventing this, and the delay of nine days in firing the village may have been granted in hope of discovering the location of the herd and effecting its capture. At the time of the British raid the wife of David Hays was lying upon a sick-bed with a new-born infant at her breast. Her husband and eldest son were with the army, and she with her daughters and her baby boy (Benjamin) were attended by an old negro slave named Darby, and his wife, whom she had brought with her from Baltimore prior to her marriage. It was not the open enemy but Tory neighbors who entered the house on that day in July and demanded of the sick woman information she was supposed to possess concerning the plans of the patriots. On her refusal to give the information the house was fired, with a brand from its own hearthstone. The mother and children were con- veyed by faithful negroes to a shelter in the woods and there cared for until succor came to them and to others who suffered from Tory malice.
Esther Etting, daughter of Asher Etting, the cousin and wife of David Hays, came of a patriotic family. At the beginning of the war her brother, Reuben, then a clerk in a bank at Baltimore, gave up his position and
762
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
hastened northward to join the patriots. He was taken prisoner at Charles- town, and when the British learned that he was not only a rebel, but also a Jew, they gave him for food only pork (forbidden by the Jewish law as unclean), which he refused to eat, subsisting, until exchanged, on such mor- sels of unforbidden food as he could obtain from his fellow prisoners. Weakened by confinement and privation, he died, of consumption, soon after his release. Another brother, Benjamin Etting, was among the patri- otic merchants of New York who were forced to flee before the British troops. He took refuge in Norwalk, Connecticut, where he died May 24, 1778, leaving Mrs. Hays the only surviving member of the family. Moses, another brother, had died some time previously at Easton, Pennsylvania.
Michael Hays, the brother of David, purchased a farm and manor in 1785 at Mount Pleasant, where he died in 1799. In his will, probated May 22, of that year, he leaves all his property, real and personal, to his "beloved brother David."
David Hays, after the close of the war, returned to Bedford, where he remained for some years, but in 1796 his brother, Michael, conveyed, for a nominal consideration, a portion of his property at Mount Pleasant, whither he removed soon afterward, and in 1800 erected the homestead at that place, which is still standing. In his will, 1812, he names sons Jacob, Moses and Benjamin Etting, and daughters Hannah (deceased) and Rachel, who were in turn wives of Benjamin Meyers; Hiltey, wife of Mr. Isaacs, deceased; Charity, wife of Jacob da Silva Solis; and Abigail, whose portion was made contingent upon her "marrying in our society." Notwithstanding this pro- hibition Abigail married, after her father's death, a Mr. Conkling, brother of Garner Conkling, of New York.
Benjamin Etting Hays, son of David and Esther (Etting) Hays, was born at Bedford in Westchester county, New York, in 1776. He was the babe at his mother's breast when she was ruthlessly driven from her home and compelled to seek shelter with a neighbor. He grew up amid the scenes of the Revolution and was an eye witness of much of the sufferings, hard- ships and privations endured by his neighbors, all of which made a deep impression on his youthful mind, and the story was repeated " o'er and o'er " to his children and grandchildren. He loved the country which gave him birth and was proud of that part borne by his worthy parents in the struggle for independence. He was a man greatly respected by his neighbors and at the time of his death, August 13, 1858, he was supposed to be the "last Jewish farmer in the United States." During his life he was known as " Uncle Ben, the Jew, the best Christian in Westchester county." He was endowed with all the noble virtues inherited from his honored parents, and never missed an opportunity of doing good to those around him, especially to-
763.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
the poor and unfortunate who were left penniless as the result of the war. He inherited his father's farm at Mount Pleasant, now Pleasantville, and continued to cultivate it until his death. He married and had children, - David, Michael, Benjamin, Jacob, Esther and Hannah.
David Hays, the eldest son of Benjamin Etting Hays, was born on the homestead at Mount Pleasant. His early life was spent on the farm, but the city had greater attractions for him and he engaged in the study of pharmacy, with his brother-in-law, M. L. M. Peixotto, at the corner of Division and Clinton streets, then one of the best residence neighborhoods in the city. The store was an old landmark, having been established in 1832, and was known as the Rutgers Pharmacy, from its proximity to the estate of Colonel Rutger. Mr. Hays possessed a very earnest nature and entered upon his new life with great enthusiasm, and very soon the old sign over the door was taken down to be replaced by one bearing the firm name of Peixotto & Hays. By his sterling character he soon won the confidence of the community and success followed his efforts, and a second store was purchased on Grand street, not far from the Bowery.
On the breaking out of the civil war Mr. Peixotto organized a regiment and became captain of one of the companies, and Mr. Hays succeeded him in business. The store in Grand street was sold, and the sign of "David Hays, apothecary," was hung over the old "Rutgers Pharmacy," where it remained for many years. During the draft riots the store was attacked by the mob, but the neighbors rallied to Mr. Hays' assistance and the members of the old volunteer fire department No. 6 took turns in watching the store until the excitement abated.
After the war Mr. Hays established a drug store in Central City, Colo- rado, which he conducted successfully for a number of years. He early became interested in educational work and was elected a member of the New York College of Pharmacy, in whose advancement he was deeply concerned and whose growth during the early and trying years of its career he closely watched and earnestly worked for. The confidence of his confreres in his integrity was best shown when he was elected treasurer at a special meeting in the place of an officer who had misappropriated the funds of the college. He served on most of the important committees of the college and was a fre- quent delegate to the American Pharmaceutical Association, in whose delib- erations he took much interest.
As a trustee of the public schools he contributed to the advancement of education, and was honored by being elected chairman of the school board, a position which he held until he changed his residence to another school district. In 1890 he retired from active business life, and from that time passed most of his time at the old homestead, to which he was fondly
764
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
attached. He took great pleasure in wandering about the fields and roaming through the woods, living over again the scenes of his boyhood. He had a deep love of the beautiful in nature and a true poetic insight. His love of wild flowers and the birds, as well as the nobler ideals of life, found its expression in many poems which graced the corners of the country newspa- pers and won for him the name of the "Farmer Poet." He was greatly beloved by all who knew him for his kindly nature, his sturdy character and his simple, honest life. His end came peacefully and rounded out a beautiful life. By a coincidence, his death occurred upon the anniversary of his birth- day, and he was laid beside his wife in Cypress Hills cemetery, on the anni- versary of his wedding day.
He married Miss Judith Peixotto, a daughter of Dr. Daniel S. M. Peix- otto (son of the eminent rabbi), who in 1823 took rank among the leading physicians of New York. As a writer Dr. Peixotto acquired fame by articles of acknowledged merit and of considerable importance to the profession. In 1825-6, conjointly with Drs. Beck and Bell, he edited the New York Medical and Physical Journal and also Gregory's Prac- tice. All subjects pertaining to medicine enchained his thoughts and quick- ened his pen. He served as one of the physicians of the old city dispensary in 1827, and as president of the New York Medical Society in 1830-2. He was also one of the projectors and organizers of the Society for assisting the Widows and Orphans of Medical Men, and urged the establishment of a medical library. In 1836 he received the appointment of professor of theory and practice of medicine and obstetrics, and was elected an honorary member of the Medical Society of Lower Canada. In the same year he was called to the presidency of the Willoughby Medical College and removed with his fam- ily to Cleveland, Ohio, occupying the position of dean of the faculty for sev- eral years, when he returned to New York and resumed his practice. Dr. Peixotto was gifted with high literary endowments and was a frequent contributor to magazine literature and the newspaper press. An intimate friend of General Jackson, he advocated his election to the presidency of the United States, editing the True American in his behalf. For a time he was also connected with the New York Mirror, when that journal was under the control of N. P. Willis and George P. Morris. Dr. Peixotto was an eminent linguist, speaking no less than seven languages with equal fluency. He died in New York city, May 13, 1843.
David Hays, by his wife Judith (Peixotto) Hays, had eight children, of whom Daniel P. was one. Daniel Peixotto Hays was born at the homestead of his ancestors at Pleasantville, Westchester county, New York, March 28, 1854. His early environment tended to the further development of those characteristics inherited from his ancestors which have continued to shine
765
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
with greater brilliancy in his own life. He obtained his preparatory educa- tion at the public schools and was graduated at the College of the City of New York in 1873 and at the Columbia College Law School in 1875. He entered upon a practical course of study in the office of Carpenter & Beach, where he soon rose to the position of managing clerk, and in 1877 joined the firm as partner, under the firm name of Beach & Hays. On the death of Judge Beach he became associated with James S. Carpenter, the copartner- ship continuing until the death of the latter in 1885. Mr. Hays organized. the present firm of Hays & Greenbaum the same year, one of the most suc- cessful firms in their line of practice in the city, their clients including some of the most prominent business men in New York. Mr. Hays conducted the case of General Adam Badeau against the executors of General Grant's estate for services in preparing the Grant Memoirs; he was also counsel for General Daniel E. Sickles during the latter's term as sheriff of New York county. During the past few years Mr. Hays has tried successfully many important cases, involving millions of dollars, and is recognized as one of the ablest men in his profession. He has filled important public positions. In 1893 he was appointed on the civil-service commission, and on the death of his predecessor was made chairman of the board.
Mr. Hays was one of the early supporters of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, served for many years as its director, was vice-president in 1878, and elected president for the two following years. He was one of the found- ers of the American Hebrew and one of the original board of editors, and has been for many years president of the congregation Temple Israel. He re- moved to Nyack on the Hudson in 1880, where he and his wife occupied a high social position for some years, and were specially popular in the Nyack. Rowing Association, which at that time included the best social elements of the county. He has purchased the old homestead of his ancestors at Pleasantville, in Westchester county, embracing several acres, retaining in its original simplicity the old house built by his grandfather, around which cluster so many hallowed associations. Instead of enlarging or altering this, he erected a large and elegant mansion, one of the most attractive in that part of the county, which he named Hillcrest, as it is located on the crest of the hill and affording a beautiful and extended view of the surrounding coun- try. Here during the summer season he entertains his numerous friends, who are always given a hearty welcome. Mr. Hays became interested in the public affairs of the town and contributed liberally toward the various im- provements. He was the unanimous choice of his fellow citizens, regardless. of party affiliations, for the presidency of the village. He is a member of the Democratic, Lawyers', Reform, Sagamore and other clubs, and also of the New York Bar.
766
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
April 18, 1880, Mr. Hays was united in marriage with Miss Rachel, daughter of Aaron Hirschfield, of New York city, a highly accomplished and attractive woman, interested equally with her husband in the benevolent and charitable enterprises.
EDWARD F. SHEEHAN, M. D.
A prominent representative of the medical profession, Dr. Sheehan has successfully engaged in practice in Sing Sing, New York, since 1890, his office being at No. 18 Maple Place. He is a native of New York, born at North Creek, Warren county, July 12, 1864, and is a son of P. and Margarette (Fitzgerald) Sheehan, natives of Ireland who came to this country while young and were married at Sandy Hall, Washington county, New York. By trade the father is a tanner of sole-leather, being an expert in that business. He had charge of the North Creek tannery for some years, and was later superintendent of the Stony Creek tannery, for John P. Bowman. On resign- ing that position he purchased a third interest in the lumber and tanning industry conducted under the firm name of Sawyer, Mead & Company, but is now engaged in farming and stock-raising in Saratoga county, New York. He is one of a family of five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: Patrick, known as " P." to his friends; Daniel and Edward, both farmers; Catherine, wife of John McSweeney; and Colonel T. J., who is well known all over this country as the man who closed the gates. He has been Indian agent at the White Earth agency, was sheriff for twelve consecutive terms in Freeborn county, Minnesota, and has always been an active Republican. He is still a resident of Minnesota. Our subject's father is a Democrat, and does all in his power to promote the party's welfare in this state. Twelve children have been born to him and seven are still living: Annie; Maggie; Katie, wife of Richard Barnett, of Victor Mills, Saratoga county, New York; Mary, wife of Dr. C. D. Kelly, of Mount Vernon, New York; Edward F., of this sketch; Ella F .; Timothy, known as Teed, who was a druggist of Sing Sing, died in 1896; and Dr. W. J., who is associated in practice with our subject, at Sing Sing.
Dr. Edward F. Sheehan received his literary education in the Union high school at Schuylerville, Saratoga county, and later read medicine with Dr. Frank F. Gow, of that place; Dr. William Donnelly, of Ketchum Cor- ners, New York, and Dr. Albert Vanderveer, of Albany, New York. In the fall of 1885 he entered the Albany Medical College, made a special study of surgery, and graduated from that institution March 15, 1885. He first located at Greenwich, Washington county, New York, but, at the end of two years, came to Sing Sing, where he soon succeeded in building up the large and lucrative practice, which he to-day enjoys. He is also largely interested
767
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
in the Home Telephone Company of Sing Sing, of which he was one of the organizers, and is a fourth owner. He is a leading member of the West- chester County Medical Society, and in 1891 was elected health officer, serving as such most acceptably for three years. He is also consulting phy- sician at the Sing Sing prison, has assisted in most of the electrocutions, and was the one who held the autopsy of Carlysle Harris, the noted criminal. He is state examiner in lunacy, and attending physician at the new Croton dam, the largest dam in the world, now under construction. The Doctor is also examining physician for several of the best life insurance companies of the country, and is a progressive member of his profession, who keeps abreast of the latest discoveries and theories by his perusal of medical journals. His skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage he enjoys, and he ranks as one of the leading physicians of the county. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sing Sing Yacht Club, and is commodore of the Ossining Yacht Club, while politically he is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and a member of the Democratic Club of New York city, and has been an active and influential member of the town Democratic commit- tee, of which he is the chairman.
On the 31st of March, 1890, Dr. Sheehan was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Terhune, a daughter of Frederick H. and Frances D. (Dodd) Terhune, and one child has graced this union, E. Gerald, born May 17, 1891.
ISAAC YOUNG.
Mr. Young is the owner of the beautiful homestead known as Summit Place, situated on the highest point of land between New York city and Cro- ton dam, in Westchester county, three miles to the northeast of Sing Sing. Here he has had his dwelling-place for nearly thirty years, during which time he has constantly made improvements and added to the beauty and value of his country home. From his residence site most picturesque and charming views of the Hudson river and surrounding country may be obtained, and glimpses into the neighboring state of Connecticut may be had.
The gentleman of whom we write is one of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Milltown, in the township of Southeast, Putnam county, April 26, 1821. He is a son of James and Hannah (Law- rence) Young, who likewise were natives of Putnam county. Their children were two in number, the other being a daughter, Esther A., now the widow of John G. Lane, of Harrison township, Westchester county. James Young died in 1846, at the age of fifty-one years. He was a successful farmer, own- ing a homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, which he kept under a high state of cultivation.
768
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
Isaac Young was reared to agricultural pursuits, early mastering the essentials to the proper management of a farm. He attended the common schools and assisted his father in the work of the farm up to the latter's death. He then assumed the entire charge of the homestead and continued to reside thereon until he was thirty-five years old. He still owns the old place, but since 1856 he has made his home in Westchester county. For some thirteen years he carried on the old Vail farm, near his present home, but in 1869 he purchased the farm known as Summit Place, -a tract of thirty-eight acres.
Though he has never sought nor desired public office, Mr. Young has sometimes been prevailed upon to accept a minor position, and has served as justice of the peace. He is a stalwart Republican, but has never been a poli- tician in the ordinary acceptation of the term. Religiously he is a Presbyte- rian, being a member and for some time one of the trustees of the Sing Sing church of that denomination.
In 1857 Mr. Young married Miss M. E. L. Vail, a daughter of John and Jane M. (Lane) Vail. She was born in this county, on the old Vail home- stead, previously mentioned in this sketch, and there grew to womanhood. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Young is John J., who is an enterprising busi- ness man and farmer and is still living with his parents on the homestead. The family are highly respected in this community, and on every hand only praise and commendation of them are to be heard among their old neighbors. and acquaintances.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.