USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 48
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(Mrs. Sands Reynolds), Dorothea (Mrs. William H. Ferguson), Sarah (Mrs. James Sherwood: her second union was to John B. Cole), and Rachael, who remained unmarried.
Levi Owens, the father of our subject, was an agriculturist, as were his ancestors. He was born and reared to manhood in Putnam county, and there married Miss Nancy Whitney, a daughter of Silas Whitney, a prominent cit- izen of that section of the state. Seven children blessed their union, namely: Thomas W., Washington, Nancy M., Fayetta, Phoebe A., Silas J. and Sarah A.
Silas J. Owens passed his boyhood days in Putnam county and received a liberal education. He attended the state nornal after completing his pub- lic-school course and soon entered upon the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1863, at the old brown-stone court-house, and not long after- ward opened an office in Cold Spring, Putnam county. Subsequently he was located in the practice of law in New York city for a period, and in 1881 he went to Leadville, Colorado, where he resided for a year and a half. For a number of years past he has conducted a legal business in this city and has won the admiration of his brethren in the profession, as well as the respect and high regard of his fellow citizens in general. He is independent in the matter of politics, using his franchise for the men and measures he deems best regardless of party lines.
In 1873 Mr. Owens married Miss Martha Ann Warren, daughter of John Warren, a son of Peter Warren, who was the first sheriff of Putnam county, New York, and held the office for three terms, dying whilst in office. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Owens, was a Miss Matilda Ann Ireland in her girl- hood, a native of Putnam county, and of an old and respected New York fam- ily. Mr. and Mrs. Warren were the parents of twelve children, viz .: Cath- erine, Mary, Permelia, Martha, Susan, Sarah, Esther, Alexander, Edward, William, Nelson and Purdy. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Owens is Washington, who was born April 21, 1875. This young man, who has a most promising future, was one of the brave boys who offered their services in the late war with Spain, he being a member of Company I, Twenty-second Regiment of New York Volunteer Infantry.
JAMES B. COLGATE.
James Boorman Colgate, so well known throughout Westchester county and the country at large for his deep interests in all philanthropic movements, was born in the city of New York, March 4, 1818. The family is of English stock, appearing in the county of Kent as early as the beginning of the fif- teenth century. The first of the name in this country was Robert Colgate,
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who had been prominent among the freedom-loving yeomanry of Kent, in the days of the American Revolution, as an outspoken advocate of the cause of the colonies. Subsequently sympathizing with some of the principles of the French Revolution, and joining in the demand for reform in England, he was in danger of arrest; but, through the friendly suggestion of Pitt, who had been a companion of his boyhood, he decided to remove from England, and, early in 1795, left his home with his wife and children for the United States, his departure being marked by many tokens of regard from the people of Kent. He resided for some time in Maryland, but spent his last years in Delaware county, New York.
William Colgate, the eldest of his sons, entered into business in the city of New York in 1806, and built up the well-known house of Colgate & Com- pany, in Dutch and John streets, of which he was the head till his death in 1857, having maintained for half century a high reputation for sagacity, sterling commercial integrity and Christian character. His surviving sons are Samuel, at the head of the old house; Robert, of the Atlantic White Lead Company, and James B., the subject of this sketch.
James B. Colgate received his early education partly in Connecticut and partly in New York city. At the age of sixteen he was prepared for college, but his mind turned to business, and he spent the next seven years in acquir- ing a thorough knowledge of mercantile life. The last four years of his clerk- ship were passed in the well known commission house of Boorman, Johnson & Company. Failing in health, he spent the larger portion of the year 1841 in Europe. On his return he accepted an opening in the wholesale dry-goods business. In 1852 he entered Wall Street as a dealer in stocks, associating himself with John B. Trevor, under the firm name of Trevor & Colgate. In 1857 they added a billion department, and established themselves at No. 47 Wall street. This has always been the leading billion house of this country. To this branch of the business Mr. Colgate has especially directed his atten- tion. He was among the first to organize, during the civil war, the New York Gold Exchange, of which he was for many years president. His papers advocating the remonetization of silver, and expressing views in which he at one time stood almost alone, have been extensively read, and evince his well- known strength and independence of judgment.
Mr. Colgate's leading interest, apart from his business, has been given to education and general Christian benevolence. At the age of twenty-one, moved by convictions which had influenced his whole life, he became a pro- fessing Christian and identified himself with the Baptist denomination. Be- ginning in his early business career, while receiving but a moderate salary, he has made it a life principle to give a percentage of his income for the pro- motion of Christianity in all departments of its work. This self-resolved
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pledge has been more than kept. He has been fortunate in his association with a partner who has sympathized with him in his purposes, and has emu- lated his gifts. Mr. Colgate and Mr. Trevor united in building the Baptist church in Yonkers, New York, at a cost of one hundred and ninety thousand dollars, in giving fifty thousand dollars to the Baptist Church Extension Fund, and in fostering many other enterprises, both benevolent and edu- cational.
Mr. Colgate's devotion to the cause of Christian education was, in part, the result of his early home training, and has thus been shared by his brother Samuel and others of the family. William Colgate, the father, was one of the leading corporators of Madison University. The Colgate Academy build- ing was erected in 1873, at the sole expense of James B. Colgate. He gave also forty-two thousand dollars toward endowing the principalship. Mr. Colgate's interest in Madison University has been more than an inheritance or a sentiment, however profound. It has rooted itself in his intellectual and moral convictions. He fully appreciates the worth of higher Christian education to his denomination, and so to the world.
He became a member of the board of trustees of Madison University in 1861, and in 1864 was elected president of the board, which position he still holds. Since January, 1865, he has, at various times, contributed to the invested funds of the University no less than two hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars, besides expending an additional sum of sixty thousand dollars for the building and grounds of Colgate Academy. These repeated and munificent gifts have not been due to any pressure of solicitation, but have been spontaneous offerings. He has led all others in his desire for the prosperity of the university. His donations, having been prompted by prin- ciple, have been altogether free from ostentation. Neither has his interest in the university been alloyed with any of those personal elements that fre- quently enter into large benefactions. He has never subordinated the welfare of the university to any of those private ends, fancies or friendships. Mr. Colgate's beneficence has not been confined to one institution. He has been alive to the claims of others. He has given, for his wife (daughter of the late Governor Colby, of New Hampshire), about ninety thousand dollars to the Colby Academy, at New London, New Hampshire; also twenty thousand dollars to the Rochester University; ten thousand dollars to the Peddie Insti- tution, at Hightstown, New Jersey; besides liberal sums to Columbian Col- lege, Washington, D. C .; to Rochester Theological Seminary; to the Cook Academy, at Havana, New York; and to other institutions, both at the north and south. To these donations may be added his gifts to needy churches and to various missionary and benevolent societies.
Mr. Colgate is a man of strong physique, with a countenance that be-
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trays intelligence, frankness and force. He has indomitable energy, breadth and acuteness of intellectual perception and deep religious convictions. Asso- ciated with these is a love of truthfulness so intense as to produce a thorough intolerance of all shams and false pretensions. His character is also equally marked by the openness and geniality of his nature and his great kindness of heart. He deservedly holds a high place among the princely givers of our times, and it is to be hoped that many other men of large wealth may emu- late his example.
ROBERT COLGATE.
The family which Mr. Colgate represented has been traced back to a very remote ancestry in England. They appear to have been settled in the county of Kent at an early date. The immediate ancestor of the branch of the family that settled in America was Robert Colgate; a native of the village of Seven Oaks, in Kent, a man of note and influence and a prominent agriculturist of his native county. In political affairs he was a most determined Radical, and so plainly outspoken in his opinions as to render him obnoxious to the gov- ernment. His known sympathy with the Radicals and the assistance he rendered to some who were confined in the Tower of London caused an order for his arrest and imprisonment to be issued. In his younger days he had been a schoolmate [of William Pitt, and that statesman, moved by remem- brance of early friendship, sent him a timely warning, with the intimation that if he should leave for America within a limited time an opportunity would be given. Acting upon this suggestion, he hired a vessel, and with his family sailed for the New World and landed at Baltimore in 1795. Under the protection of a free government, the fiery Radical soon became the peace- ful citizen, and, purchasing a farm near Baltimore, he made agriculture the business of his life. Upon this farm he remained several years, then removed to the state of New York and took charge of the farm of Peter J. Monroe, Esq., of Westchester county. Some years later his son William, having been successful in business, purchased a farm in Andes, Delaware county, New York, and placed his father upon it. Here he lived a life of quiet use- fulness till 1826, when, walking to church one Sabbath morning, he suddenly dropped dead, having reached the age of sixty-four.
Mr. Colgate was married, in England, to Miss Sarah Bowles, and their children were William, Bowles, John, George, Charles, Charlotte (wife of Dr. William B. Selden, of Norfolk, Virginia), Esther (wife of Jacob Klein, of New Orleans), and Lydia and Maria (both of whom died unmarried).
William Colgate, the oldest son, was born in Kent, England, in 1783, and came to this country with his father. At the age of twelve he was. apprenticed to John Slidell, who at that time. was doing business at Bowling
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Green, in the city of New York. In after years Mr. Slidell failed in business, and, through the influence of Mr. Colgate, he obtained the position of presi- dent of the Mechanics' Bank, and was subsequently president of the Traders' Insurance Company. He died very suddenly of cholera, in 1832. His son, John Slidell, lived in Virginia and gained at a later day a very undesirable notoriety as the ambassador of the Confederate States to France. After remaining a while in the employ of Mr. Slidell, Mr. Colgate commenced business for himself in 1806 as a manufacturer of soap and candles, in part- nership with Francis Smith. Their place of business was No. 6 Dutch street, New York. During the war of 1812 the firm carried on an extensive and prosperous trade, and he found himself on the road to fortune. Mr. Smith having retired from the firm, Mr. Colgate conducted the business, which is still continued at the old place, under the firm name of Colgate & Company. After a life of successful business enterprise, Mr. Colgate died, in 1857, and was laid to his last repose in Greenwood cemetery. He left to his descend- ants not only the wealth which was the result of his commercial ability and energy, but also the still richer legacy of an unblemished reputation; and all who knew him were willing to unite in the testimony that he was a man of upright life and free from guile. Like his father before him, he was a devoted member of the Baptist church and deeply interested in all that could increase its welfare and advance its usefulness. He married Mary, daughter of Edward Gilbert and their children were Robert, Gilbert, Sarah (who died unmarried), James B. (of the well known banking company of James B. Col- gate & Company), Joseph (who died in Berlin, Prussia, in 1864), Samuel (of Orange, New Jersey), William (who died unmarried in 1838) and Mary (wife of Robert Colby).
Robert Colgate, the oldest of his family and the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of New York, January 29, 1812. In his early youth he attended school at Rhinebeck, during two years, and then went to Hamilton, Madison county, New York, where he attended an academy under the care of Zenas Morse, who held a high reputation as an instructor. Upon his return to New York he attended the high school under the care of Daniel H. Barnes, a well known teacher. His introduction to business was as clerk in the employ of Samuel Hicks & Son. One of the most important episodes of this period of his life was his experience during the cholera of 1832, when he was the only one of the employees who remained at his post during that fatal time. Upon one occasion he, in company with a carman in the employ of the firm, left the building at the same time. Within four hours his com- panion was dead and buried; Mr. Colgate himself was seized with the disease, but fortunately survived the attack.
In 1833 he went into business on his own account, in company with his
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uncle Charles and George P. Pollen, under the firm name of Colgate, Pollen & Colgate, manufacturers and dealers in dye-stuffs and paints, their place of business being at 177 Water street. In 1845 he built the Atlantic White Lead Works in Brooklyn, having previously purchased the store property at 287 Pearl street, New York, which at that time was surrounded by the private residences of many wealthy and prominent citizens. To the works in Brook- lyn he added the manufacture of linseed oil, and the firm, which is now known by the name of Robert Colgate & Company, are among the most extensive dealers in paint and oil in the country, and bear a high reputation in the com- mercial world. They have stood unshaken through all the financial reverses which have visited the city, and never failed to meet all obligations with promptness. It has always been the policy of the firm to secure the services of trustworthy and faithful employes and to retain them as long as they are willing to remain. As an illustration, it may be mentioned that the book- keeper, James B. Carr, has been in the employ of the firm for fifty years, and the cashier for thirty years. By a failure of health, Mr. Colgate was com- pelled at length to retire from active labor and finally died.
He purchased an estate in Westchester county, at Riverdale, which he greatly improved, and under his care Stonehurst was made one of the finest residences on the Hudson. Its elevated position commands one of the most extended views on the river, while the resources of wealth and refined taste have been joined to make it a thing of beauty.
Mr. Colgate married Cornelia F., daughter of Abner Weyman. They were the parents of two children,-Abner W. and Georgiana. Mrs. Colgate died in 1842, and Mr. Colgate subsequently married Mary E., daughter of Romulus Riggs, of Philadelphia.
WILLIAM H. MURRAY.
William H. Murray, the present efficient trustee of the village of New Rochelle, New York, and a well known dairyman, was born in the town of Mamaroneck, Westchester county, February 14, 1864, and is a son of William and Margaret (Coffee) Murray. The father was a native of Ireland, born in Kings county, where he grew to manhood and was married, and on. his emigration with his family to the New World he settled in the town of Mamaroneck, Westchester county, New York, making his home there for a number of years, while he followed his chosen occupation, that of farming. Later he removed to New Rochelle, and there his death occurred, in 1873.
In much the usual manner of farmer lads, William H. Murray, of this. review, passed his boyhood and youth in Mamaroneck, acquiring an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits, which has been of great benefit to him in.
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later years. He was first sent to the public schools, but completed his liter- ary education in the high school at Mamaroneck. He continued to reside in his native town until he attained the age of twenty-three years, and then was employed at New Rochelle, Mamaroneck and other places in Westchester county. For the past eight years he has successfully engaged in the dairy business, keeping a number of cows on the Clifford farm, which is usually known as the John Stephenson farm, the owner being Mr. Stephenson, the noted street-car builder.
As an ardent Democrat, Mr. Murray takes quite an active and promi- nent part in local political affairs, and is a recognized leader of the party in his town. In the spring of 1897 he was elected trustee of the village of New Rochelle for a term of two years, and is now most capably and satisfactorily filling that office.
JAMES STEWART, JR.
In a history of the industrial and commercial interests which have led to the present prosperity in Westchester county, the name of James Stewart, Jr., cannot well be omitted, for he has been the promoter of some of the leading enterprises of the county.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 19th of February, 1842, and is a son of James and Euphemia (Douglas) Stewart. The Stewart family originated in Scotland, and the grandfather, who also bore the name of James, was a resident of Glasgow, where he took a prominent part in public affairs and held a number of official positions. James Stewart, father of him whose name heads this sketch, was a stationary engineer, and when a young man came to the United States, locating in Boston, whence he subsequently removed to Danbury, Connecticut, where his last days were passed. He was a Whig and Republican in his political affiliations, was a Presbyterian in his religious faith, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife have passed away. They were the parents of six chil- dren: Jennie Frances, James, Catherine Douglas, Margaret, Euphemia Smyth and John Stewart.
James Stewart, of this review, now a resident of Yonkers, attended the grammar schools of Boston until his seventeenth year, and then learned the cutter's trade in a tailoring establishment. He subsequently followed that business for several years and in the meantime removed to Danbury, Con- necticut. After the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in June, 1861, as a private of Company A, Fifth Connecticut Infantry, and served first under General Banks. This regiment was an active fighting body of brave soldiers, and a brief summary of its history must be incorporated here.
The Fifth Regiment of Connecticut Infantry was mustered into the
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United States service at Hartford, Connecticut, left the state for the front in July, 1861, and joined the command of General Banks at Sandy Hook, Mary- land. During the heat of the summer and the inclemency of the ensuing winter it was actively employed in watching the various fords of the Potomac for the distance of nearly a hundred miles, marching to and fro as the occa- sion required. In the spring of 1862 it crossed the Potomac into the Shenan- doah valley and advanced to Harrisburg, Virginia, and was with Banks on that memorable retreat through the valley. On the last day it engaged Stonewall Jackson at Winchester for three hours and was cut off from the main column, but finally cut its way through the rebel lines and marched forty- five miles in one day, reaching and crossing the Potomac the following night.
Reorganizing, it re-entered Virginia and participated in the disastrous campaign under General Pope, who was operating under Major-General McClellan. Recrossing the Potomac into Maryland, in pursuit of Lee's forces, it received a number of recruits and was assigned to the Twelfth Army Corps under General Slocum, and took part in the various campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, until the fall of 1863, when the Eleventh and Twelth Army Corps were transferred to the southwestern department and formed the Twentieth Army Corps, under General Hooker.
In 1864 the regiment re-enlisted and joined the army of Sherman near Chattanooga, and afterward took part in all the campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas, including the memorable march to the sea. Besides numerous skirmishes, the regiment participated in the following engagements: Winches- ter, Virginia, March 23, 1862, and May 25 following: Cedar mountain, same state, August 9, 1862; Chantilly, Virginia, September 1, 1862; Chancellors- ville, Virginia, May 1, 2 and 3, 1863; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1 to 3, 1863; Resaca, Georgia, May 13 to 15, 1864; Cassville, Georgia, May 19, following; Dallas, same state, May 25; Lost mountain, June 15; Kenesaw mountain, June 17; Kulp's farm, Georgia, June 22; Peach Tree creek, July, 20; siege of Atlanta, August, 1864; Monteith station, December, following; Savannah, Georgia, same month; Chesterfield Court House, South Carolina, February, 1865; Averysboro, North Carolina, March 16, 1865; Bentonville. same state, March 19; and a portion of the regiment also took part in the severe fight at Nashville, Tennessee, under General Thomas.
The regiment finally took part in the great review at Washington, D. C., as the culmination of the nation's joy at the victorious close of one of the greatest and bloodiest wars in the history of the world.
At the time the regiment veteranized in 1864, and Mr. Stewart arrived at his home in Danbury, Connecticut, the citizens subscribed for a fine sword and presented it to Mr. Stewart in token of their appreciation of his
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character as a soldier. Upon his return to the front he took it with him and continued with renewed encouragement to do his full duty as a defender of the Union, and in such a manner that his fellow citizens could have no cause for regret that they had made the gift. Mr. Stewart actually used the sword and he still retains possession of it, and it shows the service in which it has been employed.
During the engagement at Kulp's Farm, June 22, 1864, Mr. Stewart was wounded in the hip by a musket ball, which he still carries. He was sent to the hospital at Lookout mountain, where the surgeon insisted upon amputation; but he refused to have the operation performed, and before his wound had healed he made his way to Chattanooga to rejoin his regiment. He traveled thither with the aid of a crutch and a cane, but on reaching his destination he was not allowed to rejoin his command, and he fell back to Nashville, taking part in the hard-fought engagement there. On the third day of the battle he was again wounded in the same leg that had been injured before, the ball striking him above the ankle. He fell from his horse, but while his comrades were carrying him to the rear he prevailed upon them to return to their position in the line of battle. After investigating the nature of his wound he determined to remount and enter the engagement, which he did, fighting until hostilities had ceased at that point.
At the battle of Chancellorsville he had been promoted to the rank of second lieutenant; subsequently was made first lieutenant, and returned home as captain of company A, the command with which he had gone to the front. At the battle of Chancellorsville he had the shark-skin cut off the handle of his sword by a bullet, but he escaped personal injury there. In the same engagement he was taken prisoner, but managed to get away from his captors, who were busy dodging Union bullets, and after several thrilling escapes he made his way through our picket lines to his regiment. For meritorious conduct at Gettysburg, he and two other officers and four enlisted men were granted furloughs to go to their homes, and carried with them their regimental colors, which Captain Stewart had the honor of presenting to Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut, who received them with much feeling. After a long and faithful service the Captain was mustered out at Hartford, Connecticut, at the close of the war, and returned home with a military record of which he may be justly proud.
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