USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 40
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
About one mile distant General Rochambeau, commanding the French
832
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
forces, had his headquarters, which house, at this date (1899), is still stand- ing. Brick ovens were constructed in front of the army to deceive the enemy, while General Washington caused deceptive letters to be sent out, that they might fall into the hands of General .Clinton, in order to make him believe the American forces were making permanent preparations to remain during the winter. His local militia were valuable aids in carrying out his plan of capturing Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Lieutenant Van Tassel, previous to the Revolution, was one of the most extensive and well-to-do farmers of the locality, and, although he lost every- thing by the ravages of war, including his only son, who was a celebrated rifleman, he managed, at its close, to purchase from the commissioners of forfeiture the farm occupied by his ancestors, and recuperated from his severe losses. He contributed liberally to his neighbors and friends, and toward the establishment of churches and schools, and lived to see them firmly established.
JOHN C. SHOTTS.
Among the " boys in blue " who followed the starry banner upon south- ern battle-fields and vindicated the honor and strength of our national govern- ment, and struck the shackles from three millions of slaves, none is more popu- lar among his fellow soldiers than John C. Shotts, of Yonkers. He is to-day an acknowledged leader in the Grand Army circles of the east, and in fact is well known among the members of the order throughout the country. With a heart and mind responsive to all that is patriotic and loyal, he advocates every measure that will promote the welfare of the nation and is especially active in his labors in behalf of the valiant men who stood by the country in the dark hour of peril and braved danger and death until the army victorious had planted the stars and stripes in the capital of the southern Confederacy.
Mr. Snotts was born at West Farms, Westchester county, New York, August II, 1844, spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, and in his seventeenth year responded to his country's call for aid. The smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away when he offered his services to the nation, enlisting at Yonkers, April 16, 1861. He was mustered into the United States service for two years, in New York city, May 22, as a private of Company A, Seventeenth Regiment of New York Volunteers. The regi- ment was composed of companies enlisted in different counties of the state, was sent to a camp on Staten island and H. S. Lansing was commissioned its colonel. On the 21st of June they went to Camp Mansfield, at Washing- ton, D. C., where they remained until July 15, when they were ordered to. Fort Ellsworth, at Alexandria, Virginia, and assisted in covering the retreat of the army from the first battle of Bull Run. In August, while in command.
John C. Shotts.
833
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
of an advance picket post about five miles above Fairfax Seminary, Mr. Shotts captured the first rebel spy of note taken during the war, giving him over to the charge of Colonel Baker, chief of the secret-service division, who thanked Mr. Shotts most earnestly and commended him for his watchfulness while on duty.
On the 15th of October, 1861, the Seventeenth New York Regiment was assigned to General Daniel Butterfield's brigade, General Fitz John Porter's division, and went into winter quarters at Hall's Hill. On the 13th of March, 1862, the brigade and division were placed in the Third Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and on the 14th day of May were transferred to the Fifth Army Corps, commanded by Major-General Fitz John Porter. When the army left Hall's Hill, the Seventeenth New York went to Fortress Mon- roe and was encamped at Hampton Roads, from which point it was sent on a number of reconnoitering expeditions, and on one of them had a sharp skirmish with General Magruder's forces at Big Bethel, where several men were killed and wounded. On the way to the siege of Yorktown the regi- ment led the advance of the right of the army. At the battle of Hanover Court House, Company A captured a brass cannon belonging to Latham's celebrated New Orleans battery, it being the first cannon captured by the Army of the Potomac in an engagement. Mr. Shotts, who was on the skirmish line, was one of the first to reach the cannon and claim it for his company and regiment. On the 26th of June the Seventeenth New York and Eighteenth Massachusetts Regiments, with two flying batteries of artillery and a squadron of cavalry, constituted the entire force under General Stone- man when he made that hasty, timely and terrible march to protect the army supplies at the White House against the advance of Stonewall Jackson. On the night of June 30 Company A was the last to leave that place after burn- ing the supplies which set fire to and destroyed the White House, which was the Lee residence where George Washington first met Mrs. Martha Custis, who became his wife and the first lady of the land.
The forces just mentioned went on board the gunboat Marblehead and were attacked by two flying batteries of Stonewall Jackson's artillery and his. sharpshooters. After a hard fight both batteries were disabled with heavy loss. The gunboat headed for Fortress Monroe, and from there. the regi- ment was ordered to Harrison's Landing on the transport steamer Knicker- bocker, which on her return trip sank in Cheseapeake bay, opposite Point Lookout. The regiment was ordered, with orders of the Fifth Army Corps, to join General Pope's army in the second Bull Run campaign. At the bat- tle of Bull Run, four color-bearers lost their lives in defense of the flag, but the starry banner was saved and rigged to a new staff and was returned to the common council of New York city as a proof of the valor of the regiment, 53
834
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
which lost over two hundred men out of five hundred and fifty who went into the battle. The regiment later participated in the Antietam and Fredericks- burg campaigns and afterward went into camp at Falmouth. The Seven- teenth New York was also in the Burnside "mud march," January 19-21. On the 27th of April these troops participated in the Chancellorsville cam- paign and then returned to the old camp. At the battle of Groveton, General Butterfield complimented his men and spoke of the splendid advance of the brigade led by the Seventeenth and Forty-fourth New York Regiments.
Mr. Shotts participated in the following battles: siege of Yorktown, April 5 to May 4, 1862; Mechanicsville, May 22; Hanover Court House, May 27; Cold Harbor and White House, June 28-29; Bull Run, August 30; Grove- ton; Chantilly; Antietam, September 17; Shepardstown, September 20; Fredericksburg, December 11-15; Richard's Ford, December 30-31; and Chancellorsville, May 1-4, 1863. He was mustered out of the service at New York, June 2, 1863, his term having expired.
After his return to the north Mr. Shotts established a market in Yonkers and carried on business in that line for many years, meeting with good suc- cess in his undertakings. Since 1883 he has been engaged in the wholesale commission business, operating three refrigerator houses, -at Yonkers, Tar- rytown and Mount Vernon, respectively. He represents Armour & Com- pany and enjoys the distinction of being one of the first commission agents for that house. His business has grown to extensive proportions, and he is now conducting the largest trade of the kind in Westchester county, furnish- ing employment to twenty-five men, while his sales annually reach a large sum. He is regarded as one of the most substantial and reliable business men of Yonkers, possesses great energy and perseverance and follows pro- gressive and enterprising business methods.
In the public affairs of the city he has taken a deep interest and has labored earnestly for the advancement of its greatest good. He was a mem- ber of the city board of water commissioners from 1888 until 1893, and since that time has served as president of the board, occupying the incumbency for the second time at this writing. He is a member of the City Club, now serving his third term as its president. He is a valued representative of many of the social organizations, belonging to the Palisade Boat Club, to Nep- perhan Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Yonkers Turn Verein and a member and one of the organizers of the Exempt Firemen's Association, having served for five years in the Lady . Washington Hose Company. Politically he is a Repub- lican and for many years has been a member and chairman of the city organization, besides having been a delegate to various state and other polit- ical conventions and chairman of the Republican general committee.
Mr. Shotts has been twice married. On the Ist of March, 1868, he
835
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
wedded Miss Ida Kuster, who died September 5, 1877, and on the 28th of April, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Smith.
While Mr. Shotts is widely and favorably known in social circles, is regarded as a leader in political affairs, and is accounted one of the lead- ing and reliable business men of Yonkers, he is probably best known in connection with his work in the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been a member of Ketching Post, No. 60, since 1879, was elected its com- mander in 1880, and in 1886 was again elected to the position, serving for eight consecutive terms. He was a delegate to the National Encampment at Milwaukee in 1888, at Detroit in 1891, and Washington in 1892. He was elected a member of the state council of administration in 1893, and was department commander of New York from February 28, 1894, to May 15, 1895. He has been chairman of the Yonkers memorial committee, and the fidelity with which he has ever discharged his duties in connection with the Grand Army of the Republic is shown by the fact that he traveled twenty- two thousand miles and met the friendly hand-clasp of twenty thousand com- rades. His sympathy for the private soldier has led him to perform much active service for them in the halls of legislation, and his labors have not been without good results. At the national convention of the Grand Army of the Republic in Cincinnati, in 1898, he was a prominent candidate for commander. He is one of the best known and most popular members of the order in the east, and without exception has done more, spent more time and money, for the welfare of the organization than any other man in the coun- try, and contributed fully as much. The honor of an election to the highest office within the gift of his comrades will undoubtedly be conferred upon him at no very distant date, and it will be well merited and worthily worn.
ISAAC W. TURNER.
Isaac W. Turner, who is now serving his third term as a member of the board of county supervisors of Westchester county and who is regarded as one of its most able members, was born at Norwich, Connecticut, April 29, 1854. He attended the common schools there, also the Norwich Free Academy, and at the age of eighteen years entered upon an independent busi- ness career as clerk in a drug store. He was thus employed for sixteen years, part of the time in his native town and part of the time in New York city, and finally entered that business on his own account in Jersey City, where he conducted his store with good success for six years. On the expira- tion of that period he turned his attention to the hotel business in New York city and subsequently established the Mutual Steam Laundry at Nos. 524- 531 Twenty-fourth street, New York. He has since been secretary and
836
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
treasurer of the company, which is now doing an immense business, employ- ing one hundred and forty hands. The Mutual has the reputation of being one of the best laundries in New York, and hence a very liberal patronage is accorded it. In the establishment of a business where competition is rife it is often difficult to gain prosperity, but this Mr. Turner has done. He en- tered upon his business career in the humble capacity of clerk, but steadily he has worked his way upward and in the legitimate channels of trade he has acquired a handsome competence, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles by determined purpose and undaunted energy.
Although identified with the industrial life of the metropolis, Mr. Turner makes his home at a beautiful summer residence two and a half miles east of the village of Katonah, Westchester county, and is one of the leading citizens of the community. He married a daughter of James F. Merritt, one of the leading agriculturists of the county.
In his political views Mr. Turner has always been a stalwart Democrat, and on that ticket was elected supervisor for the town of Bedford in 1893. Since that time he has been twice re-elected and is the first Democrat of the town that has ever filled the position for three successive terms. Bedford usually gives a Republican majority of two hundred and his election is cer- tainly a tribute to his personal worth and an indication of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. During the past six years he has been a leading member of the board of supervisors and has served on some of the most important committees, among them being the committee in charge of the poor, the asylums and the almshouses. He was instrumental in securing the new improvements at the county farm and it was through his efforts that the new hospital was built and put in operation, he obtaining an appropriation for carrying on the work. He has also served on many other important committees, and has ever discharged his duties with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents. For many years he has been an active factor in political circles, and in 1889 was elected justice of the peace, serving until 1892, when he entered upon his campaign for supervisor, against Edward Carpenter, of Mount Kisco. Although he ran ahead of his ticket he was defeated on account of the town being largely Republican; but in 1893 he was successful in the race, and so ably has he served his fellow townsmen that he has since been continued in office. He has been a mem- ber of the Democratic county committee, served for one year as its secretary, and in 1895 was made its chairman.
Mr. Turner is not only well known in Westchester county, but also has an extended acquaintance in New York and Jersey City. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Hugh De Payen Commandery and the New Jersey Con- sistory, of Jersey City, and Mecca Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of New
837
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
York. He also belongs to the Plama Club, of the former place, and to the Democratic Club of New York. Socially he is deservedly popular, as he is affable and courteous in manner and possesses that essential qualification to success in public life-that of making friends readily and of strengthening the ties of friendship as time advances.
HART CURRY.
Hart Curry, one of the most enterprising, wide-awake and energetic citi- zens of Somers township, Westchester county, was born in Fishkill, New York, April 30, 1847, and has resided in this county since 1894, though he ยท has virtually called this his home for fifteen years. His parents lived here about five years, from 1844 until 1850, the father, Peter B. Curry, being en- gaged in teaching. He was a native of Putnam county, born in the town of Carmel, May 17, 1811, and was the son of Lewis and Mary (Secor) Curry. The family is of Scotch origin and the men have mostly been farmers and mechanics. Peter B. Curry devoted many years of his life, however, to teaching in the public schools of Putnam county; and there served as school commissioner for two terms. He was a stanch Republican in politics and a highly respected citizen of the community in which he made his home. He married Miss Elizabeth Hart, who was born in Carmel, April 24, 1822, a daughter of James and Thamie (Sloat) Hart, the former a ship carpenter by occupation. Mr. Curry died in his native county, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife a few years later. In their family were five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Ellen, born August 25, 1849, is a graduate of the Albany Normal School and was for several years a successful teacher and vice principal of the Drum Hill school, at Peekskill, but is now the wife of Casper Brower, proprietor of the Glenwood Institute at Matteawan, New Jersey; Franklin, born December 28, 1856, died in 1858; Willis, born April 29, 1860, is a graduate of the American Veterinary College of New York, was for years employed by the bureau of animal industry in New Jersey, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Hackensack, that state; and Wright, born March 26, 1866, died in 1877.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm until he reached his seventeenth year, and received his early education in the public schools. He then engaged in teaching for a short time in order to procure funds with which to continue his studies, and for two years he was a student at Cornell University. Again he followed the teacher's profession for a short time, and for ten years was in the employ of the New York postoffice, in the box and money-order department at Station L and the main office. At the end of that period he embarked in the hotel and lodging-house business, being one
838
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
of the pioneers who furnished cheap lodgings for the poor men of New York city. Later he opened others of a similar character, and is still interested in the business, the Glenmore being his principal hotel. In this venture he has met with excellent success, but has not confined his attention to it exclu- sively. He was the founder of the Mutual Steam Laundry Company, of which he is now the president and principal stockholder and does work mainly for large steamship lines. He is one of the commissioners of appraisal of the Lake Gleninda commission, and is one of the most public- spirited and progressive citizens of Westchester county. In Somers town- ship he owns a beautiful farm and is successfully engaged in dairying, in connection with his other business interests. The success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, and he is to-day recognized as one of the most substantial and reliable business men of his community.
On April 30, 1884, Mr. Curry was married, by Rev. Morris Schenck, to Miss Alice Wright, a native of Peekskill, New York, and a daughter of Joseph S. and Almira (Waters) Wright. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are highly respected by all who know them. Socially, Mr. Curry belongs to Croton Lodge, F. & A. M., and is also a member of the chapter and commandery at Brewster, Putnam county. Since attaining his majority he has been prominently identified with the local organization of the Republican party, has served as a delegate to its various conventions, and has been an important factor in securing its success in the community where he has resided.
REV. JAMES W. KELLY.
There is no position held by man more important than that of pastor of a church; nor is there a position that has attached to it greater importance and responsibility when properly conceived and conscientiously discharged. This is more essentially the case with the clergymen of the Catholic faith, for he is held by his congregation more as an instructor and guide, not only in religious matters, but also in moral and social conduct. There are few men by character and education better fitted to preside over a people in all these relations than the reverend gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography. He is now pastor of St. John's Catholic church at White Plains, New York.
Father Kelly was born in New York city, in 1858, a son of John and Catherine (Sheeran) Kelly, and his early education was obtained in private schools there. In September, 1874, he entered Manhattan College, New York city, at which institution he graduated in 1877, and the same year
839
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
entered the Theological Seminary at Troy. After being ordained to the priesthood, in December, 1881, by Bishop McNeirney, of Albany, he was called to St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York city, where he remained ten years. For four years he was located as pastor at Williamsbridge, New York city, but in June, 1895, took charge of his present church at White Plains. His congregation now numbers three hundred and twenty families. In connection with the church is a parochial school, which is presided over by the Sisters of Charity.
The new church edifice, which was erected in June, 1892, is among the finest in Westchester county and cost one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, the money for its erection being donated by Mrs. Jules Reynal, in memory of her father and her son. It is furnished with all modern improve- ments; is heated throughout by steam; has a seating capacity of eight hun- dred, and the windows are very artistic in design. Here Father Kelly, as an active, zealous and efficient worker for the church, is held in high esteem, not only by the people of his own congregation but by the residents of White Plains generally.
DAVID F. DAVIDS.
One of the oldest and most respected families of New Rochelle is that represented here by the subject of this biography. The Reynolds family, to which his mother belonged, was also one of the pioneer families of this county, and thus no citizen of this region is better entitled to a place in the history of Westchester county than David F. Davids. His ancestors were noted for their patriotism, public spirit and peaceful, industrious, law-abiding ways, and no breath of calumny ever darkened their fair escutcheon.
As early as 1666 one William Davids, a native of Wales, crossed the Atlantic to found a new home for himself and children in a land where Old World tyranny had not yet cast its blight. He and many of his descendants assisted in placing the United States on its present basis as one of the pros- perous, progressive nations of the globe, and to his children and children's children he left a worthy example of good citizenship. The grandfather of our subject was William Davids, whose birth took place in this county. The parents of David F. were Thaddeus and Jane M. (Reynolds) Davids, the latter a daughter of Isaac Reynolds, whose ancestors also were among the early settlers of this county, Thaddeus Davids was born in Chestnut Ridge, Westchester county, November 16, 1810, and died July 22, 1894. In 1825 he founded the business of manufacturing various kinds of inks and writing fluids in a factory in New York city, and conducted it up to the year 1883, when a stock company was formed and David F Davids was made the manager, which position he has filled to the present time.
840
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
The birth of David F. Davids took place September, 1832, and his early years were passed in the city of New York, where he attended the public schools until he had arrived at a suitable age to be of assistance to his father in business. Though he is necessarily in the city every day, his home is in New Rochelle, and he makes the journey back and forth morning and night. He stands well among his business associates wherever he is known. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he has avoided public life as far as was compat- ible with his duties as a citizen, and has steadfastly adhered to the resolution which he formed, in his young manhood, that he would keep out of politics. He is not remiss in meeting his duties as a voter, however, and chooses to use his franchise on behalf of the men and measures that may serve the best interest, both state and national.
The marriage of David F. Davids and Miss Louisa A. Seacord was sol- emnized in June, 1867. Mrs. Davids also is a descendant of sturdy French- Huguenot stock, her family having been closely identified with the annals of Westchester county since 1681, at which time the founder of the second Sea- cord branch in the United States settled here.
ABRAHAM H. TOMPKINS.
More than two centuries and a half ago, in the year 1640, three broth- ers, Abraham, Joseph and John, came from England to America, braving the dangers incident to ocean voyages in those days when primitive methods of navigation were in vogue. One of the brothers was the father of Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York. Abraham, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, located in Massachusetts, and had a son, also named Abra- ham, who was born in the town of Greenburg. Westchester county, New York. He became the owner of a large tract of land here, and at his death was buried in the cemetery at White Plains. He was loyal to the crown. John Tompkins, his son, and the grandfather of our subject, was born in New York city and throughout his business career engaged in contracting and building. His political support was given the Whig party. He married Thama Shute, and they became parents of Abraham, William Shute and Mary Jones. The mother died, after which the father was married again, to Kathrine Yule, the children of the second union being John and Catherine, the latter the wife of Colonel Weeds, who is still living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Abraham Tompkins, the great-grandfather, was a very zealous church man of the Methodist Episcopal faith. He died in Westchester county and was laid to rest in White Plains.
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.