USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 37
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Manuel . nacht
Chra trang
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and at the North Salem Academy. His early life was spent on his father's farm. Later he purchased the Strang homestead on Crompond street in Yorktown township. On December 20, 1837, he was united in marriage with Sarah Jane, daughter of Daniel B. and Deborah (Hoag) Tompkins, of Yorktown, and their children are: Margaret, who died in infancy; Mary Jane, wife of Ebenezer Wood, Jr., of South Salem, now deceased; Albert Strang, M. D., of Yorktown township, also deceased; and Ira D., our sub- ject. Daniel Strang was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Dem- ocratic party and for some years served as supervisor of Yorktown township.
Albert Strang, M. D,, the brother of Ira D., was born in Yorktown township, October 13, 1843, educated at the district school and College Hill, Poughkeepsie, New York, and in October, 1864, entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York city and began his professional studies under the preceptorship of Stephen Smith, M. D., professor of anatomy in that institution, and graduated in 1867, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The previous year he had been a junior assistant in Bellevue Hospital, and in October, 1867, he became the senior assistant; was house surgeon in 1867-8; assistant to the chair of descriptive and surgical anatomy in Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1868-70; and health inspector in the health department of New York city 1869-71. From 1864 to 1871 he resided in New York city. In 1872 he returned to Yorktown and began a successful career in the practice of his profession. On September 2, 1868, he mar- ried Kate Depew, daughter of Isaac and Martha M. Depew, of Peekskill, and a sister of Hon. Chauncey M. Depew. The children by this union were Martha Depew, Elise Hagaman and Mary Jane. Dr. Strang died January 24, 1888.
Ira D. Strang, whose name heads this sketch, obtained his education in private schools and at River View Academy at Poughkeepsie, and also at Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Massachusetts. Since then he has made his home in Yorktown, devoting his energies to the management of his large real-estate interests, conducting also a very successful fire and life insur- ance business. Ever since 1883 he has been identified with the interests of the northern portion of Westchester county. He is a director of the Peek- skill Savings Bank, a director of the Peekskill Clock and Novelty Company, and of the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, and from a financial point of view is considered one of the most substantial men of the county. He casts his ballot in favor of the principles and nominees of the Democratic party and represented his town in the county legislature for seven years, -- from 1887 to 1894,-during which period he was an acknowledged leader; and no supervisor was on more important committees or did more faithful service to town or county, managing the public business with the same care that
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attends his private affairs. Many times has he been sent as a delegate to state and county conventions of his party.
On the 14th of October, 1874, he was married to Miss Katie L. Jacobs, of Peekskill, a daughter of N. S. and Caroline Jacobs. Their only child, Kate, is a graduate of Lyndon Hall Seminary at Poughkeepsie and is now living in the paternal mansion. Her mother died in 1878, aged twenty-five years. In 1880 Mr. Strang wedded Miss Mary B. Fowler, a daughter of George B. Fowler, of this township, and by the latter marriage there are two children: Arthur F., who is a student at the Mohegan Lake school; and Florence, who died in 1887, at the age of four years. Mrs. Mary B. Strang passed to the invisible world September 17, 1894, when in her thirty-sixth year.
JAMES L. TAYLOR.
James L. Taylor, the editor and proprietor of the Dobbs Ferry Register, and also of the Hastings Echo, is one of the wide-awake, enterprising and progressive men of this village, in which he was born July 3, 1863. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Higgins) Taylor, were natives of the Emerald Isle, although his father was reared in Sheffield, England, whence in 1840 he came to America. He located in the city of New York and worked at his trade, that of mason. In 1852 he brought his family to Dobbs Ferry, where he was engaged in contracting and building, constructing principally the foundations and walls of stores and dwellings and the abutments of bridges. He was a skilled workman and much of his work is still in evidence. He died September 14, 1864, when James was but one year and two months old.
Mr. Taylor, our subject, attended the public schools of Dobbs Ferry, where he received his primary education. He was of a studious nature and applied himself diligently to his books with such good results that he was a graduate of the school when but seventeen years of age. After finishing his schooling he secured a position in the office of Warner D. Hatch, lith- ographer, where he remained two years, when he was offered a desk in the main office of the Continental Insurance Company, also of New York city. So faithfully did he discharge the duties of his position that he was promoted to the office of assistant in the fourth department, under the late Walter E. Hope. After remaining there for some time he opened a branch office at Fifty-eighth street and Third avenue, New York, known as Castello & Tay- lor, managers of the Continental Insurance Company, where they transacted considerable business for the company. About this time he was importuned by Joseph Stiner & Company to act as their secretary, and severed his con- nections with the insurance company to accept their offer, remaining in their
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employ two years. Returning to Dobbs Ferry in 1894 he purchased the Dobbs Ferry Register, which was at that time in a state of collapse. He at once placed a good foreman in charge, while he devoted his time to the busi- ness management and editorials, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing it in a prosperous condition. He now has a large circulation, making it a most effective medium of advertising, a fact which his patrons are not slow in tak- ing advantage of. The Register is the official organ of the Republican party and has accomplished a great deal of good, as Mr. Taylor possesses great force of character, is zealous and ardent in whatever he espouses, and his example and the precepts given in his forceful way through his paper have contributed greatly toward molding public sentiment. He is fearless in his utterances for the cause of honesty and good government, and shrinks from no danger in upholding the view he considers to be right. Mr. Taylor has few idle minutes, those not employed on his paper being spent in writing insurance or looking after his real estate, in which he does an extensive business.
He was married June 4, 1885, to Miss Rose H. Denning, of Long Island, a daughter of architect James and Anna (Clark) Denning. Their home circle is brightened by the presence of three sons and four daughters, and a visitor is sure of a cheerful welcome. Mr. Taylor is the president of the Republican Club of Dobbs Ferry, secretary of the Historical Society and a trustee of the church of the Sacred Heart. He is a member of the Sixth District Republican Association, the New York State Republican Editorial Association, Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. On the 30th of October, 1898, was appointed postmaster of Dobbs Ferry. This office has felt his guiding hand and the service has improved very much, many new mails having been added. His uniform courtesy in the discharge of his offi- cial duties have made him so popular that it would be hard to find a successor who would fill the position as satisfactorily as the present incumbent. United States Senator T. C. Platt and the county organization, through Con- gressman William L. Ward, were unanimous in their indorsement of his appointment and secured confirmation by the senate.
CARSTEN WENDT.
Carsten Wendt, the president of the village of Larchmont, was born in Germany, but received his education in Massachusetts. Becoming interested in Larchmont property, he identified himself with its interests, helped to incorporate the village in 1891, served two years as trustee and seven years as president, which position he now holds. His management of the village affairs has been on strict business principles. He served for seven years as
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president of the board of education of the Union free school district No. I, of the town of Mamaroneck, and the high-school building was erected during his presidency.
FRANCIS P. DECKER.
This well known progressive farmer and dairyman of Elmsford, West- chester county, takes great interest in stock-raising and breeding fine stock, in that particular doing the country much good. He was born in New York city, May 30, 1852, the son of William J. and Harriet Storms (Bayles) Decker, and the grandson of Cornelius and Mary (Ketcham) Decker, the latter of whom lived to the good old age of ninety-two years. The great- grandfather of our subject was one of seven brothers who emigrated from Holland and settled in Amsterdam, near the city of New York. From them are descended the various families of that name in America.
William J. Decker, the father of Francis P., was born in the village of Newburg, New York, November 2, 1809; became a ship-joiner and con- structed vessels for the elder Cornelius Vanderbilt. He was a great mechan- ical genius, "handy " with tools of any kind. He helped build some of the first steamboats that ascended the Hudson river, also some of the first steamers that crossed the ocean. Later in life he engaged in contracting and building houses in New York city; was also one of the organizers of the Dry Dock Savings. Bank, and for many years was a director of the Broadway National Bank in New York. Being a man of fine business ability he became well known among business men generally throughout the city and a prime mover in all public works. Naturally he was a very public- spirited man. He was indeed so successful in business that in 1854 he moved to his farm in the town of Greenburg and there passed the remainder of his days in comparative retirement, dying June 3, 1878.
As his most intimate companion in life he chose Miss Harriet Storms Bayles, who was born at Ardsley, Westchester county, in 1819. Her father, Jonathan Bayles, had charge of the mill at that place, and he moved to the farm where the family are now living when Mrs. Decker was only seven years old. She is the granddaughter of N. Storms, whose father, Jacobus Storms, sacrificed his life for the liberty of this country in the Revolutionary war. Being taken prisoner, he was sent to the Sugar House in New York city, where he was poisoned and died. Rachel Storms, a sister of the grand- father of Mrs. Decker, became the wife of Isaac Van Wart, who aided in the capture of Major Andre. Mrs. Decker is now in her eightieth year, occupying the old home which has been historic ever since the days of the Revolution.
Willem Dectar
Francia & Decker.
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William J. Decker and wife became the parents of the following chil- dren: Nancy B., who married Asa O. Bassett, and resides in Evanston, Illinois; George Washington, who was born February 22, 1846, on the anni- versary of the birth of the illustrious general whose name he bears; Francis P., the subject proper of this sketch, born May 30, 1852; Emma, who was born January 27, 1856, and became the wife of R. C. Tuttle, of Middletown, New York; Anna, deceased, who was born April 9, 1860, and married William Ambler, of Sing Sing, New York; and Jonathan Bayles, who was born May 8, 1862, and married Emma Minrath.
Francis P. Decker received his primary education in the public schools of his native town, after which he went to Chicago and attended school, and also finished a course in a business college in that city. Returning then to his home in this county, he turned his attention to dairying and fancy farm- ing. He milks from fifteen to twenty cows, making the cream into butter which is of fine quality and in great demand. He also handles a fine strain of chickens, hatching for the early market by means of the incubator. He strives to have everything about his farm of the best quality. He conducts a boarding stable, where he keeps many of the horses belonging to the famous "400" of New York city.
GEORGE B. ROBBINS.
George Bacon Robbins, a prominent and influential citizen of West- chester county, residing near Pleasantville, was born in Kingston, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, January 27, 1834, and is a son of Charles and Emily (Fuller) Robbins, both of whom were descended from good old Puritan stock, our subject belonging to the seventh generation in direct line from John and Priscilla Alden. The family is one of the oldest and of the purest English extraction in this part of the county. Joshua Delano, a great-grandfather on the maternal side, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving under Captain Ebenezer Washburn, Colonel Thomas Latrop and Colonel Joseph Cushings, who commanded the brigade. For several generations the Robbins family have largely been seafaring men. Our subject's grandfather, Charles Robbins, was the captain of a merchantman plying between this country and foreign ports, and died about the year 1805 on the isle of Martinique. The early religious belief of the family was either Universalist or Baptist. The father of our subject was born in 1795 and made his home throughout life in a part of Plymouth now called Kingston, Massachusetts. Although very young he was one of the defenders of his country in the war of 1812, and like his ancestors he followed the sea, being captain of a merchant vessel which engaged in trade between this and many foreign countries. He died
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at the age of eighty-three years, and his wife, who was a lady of remark- able intelligence, departed this life at the advanced age of ninety years.
In the family of this worthy couple were thirteen children, of whom eight reached years of maturity, namely: Matilda, who married George Dean and now resides in Cleveland, Ohio; Emily, deceased wife of Seth Drew, of Kingston, Massachusetts; Mary D., deceased wife of Sardis Curtis, formerly of Toledo, Ohio, but now of Texas; George Bacon, our subject; Lucia, a resident of Kingston, Massachusetts; Charles Taylor, a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Elizabeth, widow of Henry R. Glover, of Cambridge, Massa- chusetts; and Franklin Jackson, who was formerly owner and manager of the Dansville (New York) Express, but is now a resident of Bethany, this state.
Reared at Kingston, Massachusetts, George B. Robbins obtained his education in the schools of that place and at Middleboro and New Hampton, New Hampshire, and he learned the trade of a tool finisher. During the Crimean war he made a trip to France with his uncle, Nathan B. Robbins, on the vessel Russel, which was employed by the French government in carrying munitions of war to their armies. He remained on the ship until it finally returned to the United States and then assisted his father in his large general store, which was conducted by the family for some forty years, it being carried on by the mother when the father was away from home on some voyage. Our subject did not remain long in this business, however.
On the 22d of December, 1857, Mr. Robbins married Miss Lydia Atwood Shaw, also of Revolutionary stock, whose ancestor, Lieutenant John Shaw, served under Colonel Timothy Walker, being one of the first twenty-two regiments ever mustered into service in this country, when General Artemus Ward was in command. Mrs. Robbins is a native of Wareham, Massachu- setts, and a daughter of Sullivan B. and Abigail (Griffith) Shaw. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Robbins removed to Minnesota for the benefit of his wife's health, remaining there two years and a half, and on his return to Massachu- setts entered the armory at Springfield in 1861, spending two years there as polisher. Going to New York city in 1867, he located at the corner of Third avenue and One Hundred and Thirty-sixth street, and established himself in the roofing, drain and sewer-pipe business. This he conducted alone until 1883, when he admitted to the firm H. W. Bell, who in the absence of our sub- ject is managing partner. In 1891 Mr. Robbins purchased a farm of seventy acres in Westchester county, lying within the corporate limits of the village of Pleasantville. It was formerly known as the old Buckhout farm, but he has changed the name to the Lydwood, and has made many excellent improve- ments which add to its value and attractive appearance, including the erec- tion of a beautiful modern residence and other buildings. To this place the
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family removed in August, 1892, and here they have since made their home, while Mr. Robbins gives his attention to his investments. He gives consid- erable time to the raising of fruit and poultry, making a specialty of white Leghorn and white Wyandotte fowls, and upon his place has the very finest equipments for carrying on those industries. He is very prominent socially and holds membership in the New York Republican Club and the Harlem Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have one child, Mrs. Bertha Murdock Robbins, now a widow, who has one son, Thaddeus Wood Fowler Robbins. The fam- ily are prominent members of the Baptist church at Sing Sing, and formerly were connected with the Fifth Avenue Baptist church of New York. They are charter members of the public library of Pleasantville, our subject being one of the trustees of the same, while his daughter did a great deal toward securing the means for its establishment. The daughter is also a member of the Mohegan Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution, of Sing Sing.
CHARLES E. GRATTAN.
Charles E. Grattan, president of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is one of the most prominent and influential men of Westchester county, of which he has been an honored resident for a quarter of a century. A native of New York, he was born at Greenpoint Bend, April 30, 1854, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kiper) Grattan. Of their family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, one son, John W., died in 1887, and the others are Mrs. William Morton, Jr., and Mrs. M. A. Cogley, both of Croton-on-Hudson, Mrs. John Morton, Thomas H., James B., and Charles E., our subject. Their parents survive, the father being now in his eighty- sixth year and the mother in her seventy-eighth.
Our subject was educated in the district schools, and was reared in much the usual manner of boys of his day. In 1877 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma B. Schneider, a native of Westchester county, and to them has been born one child, a son, Charles G., who is at home with his parents.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Grattan has taken an active interest in political affairs, is a pronounced Democrat, and is a recognized leader in the local Democratic organization. He has ever taken a prominent part in pub- lic affairs, has filled many of the township offices, served as collector for fourteen years, and has been treasurer of the fire department. In 1888 he was elected the first president of the village, and discharged the duties thereof with fidelity and satisfaction to his constituency. The reins of the city government have never been in more capable hands, for he is a progressive
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man, pre-eminently public-spirited, and all that pertains to public welfare receives his hearty endorsement. Socially he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Sing Sing. He is past master of Westchester Lodge, F. & A. M., past high priest of Buckingham Chapter, 74, R. A. M., and of Westchester Commandery No. 42, all at Sing Sing. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character indomitable energy, strict integrigity and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of his village.
THOMAS RADFORD, EsQ.
Nathaniel Radford came from Nova Scotia in the early part of the present century and settled in Poughkeepsie, this state. His wife was Sarah Barton, of Dutchess county, and they were the parents of three sons: William, Lewis and Thomas. The last named was born at Poughkeepsie, October 8, 1819. He remained in his native place until the age of fifteen, when he went to New York and entered the store of his brother Lewis, who was already established in business. There he remained for four years and then engaged in business on his own account, in which he was very successful. In 1854, having accumulated a competence, he removed to Yonkers, where he spent the remainder of his life as a retired country gentleman, building the hand- some residence, on South Broadway, where the family now reside, and where he continued to devote his time and attention to the improvement of his estate and to making the comfort and enjoyment of his family his constant care.
Mr. Radford married Miss Adelia Antoinette, a daughter of David B. Wood, of Newburgh, New York. Their family of ten children are all living, as follows: Frances, the wife of Oscar Waring; Huldah, the wife of Will- iam Welsh; Adalaide W., the wife of James H. Weller; Thomas W., who married Eldora, a daughter of Montgomery Davis; Antoinette, the wife of Charles R. Crisfield; Emma, the wife of Garrett F. Rose; Lizzie; Lewis, who married Lucy C. Berston; Walter and George B., most of whom reside in Yonkers.
William Radford, the eldest brother of Thomas Radford, was the first president of Yonkers and was a member of congress. His brother Lewis was a successful merchant of New York city, where he resides in retirement.
Mr. Thomas Radford was not attached to any political party and shunned all offers for official honor. He was an attendant of the Reformed church and his memory is cherished by his friends as a kind parent and a worthy citizen. He died December 30, 1877, in the fifty-eighth year of his age.
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HON. JAMES H. WELLER.
Hon. James H. Weller, ex-mayor, and for thirty years a resident and one of the leading and most substantial business men of the enterprising city of Yonkers, New York, was born at Montgomery, Orange county, New York, October 10, 1835. His father was Alfred Weller and his mother was Cath- erine Dickerson. He was the eldest of three brothers, the other two being Alanson Y. of the firm of Schoonmaker & Weller, of Newburgh, New York, and Joseph H. of the firm of Tefft, Weller & Company, of New York city. They all became successful dry-goods merchants.
The subject of this review when seventeen years of age became an apprentice of the old dry-goods firm of Scott & Clark, of New York city, with whom he remained eight years, after which he engaged with Demarest & Middleton in the leather and findings business in New York city. While with that firm he becarne associated with Thomas R. Miller, with whom he embarked in the leather and shoe-findings business, under the firm name of Weller & Miller, at 16 Spruce street, New York city. After a pleasant and profitable business career of fifteen years, the firm was dissolved in 1877 by mutual consent. After living in retirement for one year Mr. Weller estab- lished the dry-goods, furniture and carpet house of Weller & Welsh, at Yon- kers in 1878. The firm continued in this successful and pleasant relation up to July 1, 1897, when by mutual agreement the partnership was dissolved and the extensive business of the house was divided, -the dry-goods depart- ment having since been conducted under the style of James H. Weller & Sons (George R. and Joseph W. constituting the sons of this firm). Mr. Weller has been a trustee of the Yonkers Savings Bank since 1891 and is at present a member of the finance committee.
In the spring of 1892 Mr. Weller received the Republican nomination for mayor of Yonkers. After .a hotly contested election, there being four candidates in the field, he was elected by a plurality of two hundred and twenty-six votes. During his term of office he made earnest and honest attempts to reduce the evils of the liquor traffic by the appointment of an excise board that would materially reduce the number of drinking places. In his efforts he was opposed by the aldermen, yet he succeeded in improving the character of the excise board, increasing the amount of the license fees . and in holding the demoralizing traffic in check. The most important bene- fit, however, conferred upon the city by Mr. Weller's administration was the suppression of the threatening nuisances along the Nepperhan river. These nuisances had been indicted by the grand jury and most emphatically con- demned by the Yonkers and state boards of health; but they continued to offend the senses and imperil human life. At length, firmly supported by the
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