USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 50
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the town of Greenburg, this county, and contains one hundred and ninety- five acres of fine land, well improved and provided with a large, roomy resi- dence, with beautiful surroundings. Near by, on a suitable elevation, is the Worthington Memorial church, a fine stone edifice erected by the grand- mother, Mrs. Sarah Worthington, in memory of Henry Rasstler Worth- ington.
Worthington Whitehouse received his education in New York city, tak- ing a course in St. John's school, that city, and then went abroad to com- plete his studies. He spent three years in travel, visiting Africa and many other places of interest. He then returned to his native land and accepted a clerical position with W. Lanman Bull, banker, remaining with him three years. He then engaged in the real-estate business with E. L. Hall, and later formed a partnership with Mr. Mills, the firm being known as Mills & Whitehouse. This partnership was dissolved and the firm is now White- house & Porter, his partner, Clarence Porter, being an only surviving son of General Horace Porter, ambassador to France. This firm is located at 509 Fifth street, New York, and is well and favorably known as straightforward and trustworthy. Mr. Whitehouse is of social and pleasure-loving disposi- tion, as well as an energetic business man, and is a member of a number of social organizations. He is a member of the Knickerbocker Club, the Metro- politan, Tennis, and the Traspell Clubs of New York city, and is prominent in the Knollwood Country Club and the Casino Club of Westchester county. He is an admirer of blooded horses, and is the owner of some very fine dogs of the Great Dane and Dachshund breeds. He is quite a sportsman, an adept with rod and gun, and a favorite spot in which to take recreation is at his fishing camp at Millsite Lake, near the St. Lawrence river.
SAMUEL HALL, M. D.
Dr. Samuel Hall, who owns an attractive country home at Milton Point, Westchester county, is one of the honored old physicians of the Empire state. His life has been, in a special and peculiar sense, devoted to the alleviation of sickness and suffering, and rich and poor have been ably administered to by him, without discrimination in regard to rank or station. He has always realized to the full the nobleness of his mission and has never hesitated to give his services where duty and humanity called, though by so doing his own interests were often sacrificed.
The Doctor was born in the city of New York, October 5, 1819, his birthplace being on what was then known as Pump street-one of the most aristocratic localities of the metropolis, but now sadly changed and going under the name of Walker street. His father, Joseph Hall, was a native of
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the northern part of Ireland, a Protestant and a member of the Presbyterian church. He came to America when a young man, in 1810, and took up his abode in the great eastern metropolis. By untiring energy and industry he amassed a comfortable little fortune, and was a man of influence in the com- munity for a number of years prior to his death. He was a patriot, serving in the war of 1812, and early identified himself with the Whig party. His death, which occurred when he was about three-score years and ten, was the result of a fall.
In his youth Dr. Hall attended private schools in his native city, as at that day the public schools amounted to but little. In 1843 he was gradu- ated in the medical department of the University of New York and at once entered upon the practice in New York city. At the end of two years he went to Dublin, Ireland, where he pursued a special course of study for a year or more, and then, returning home, he resumed his interrupted practice, and was subsequently appointed physician in the city dispensary. He continued actively engaged in professional work until 1873, when he retired to private life. In one sense, however, the Doctor has never given up public work, for he has never lost his deep interest in the welfare of his fellows, and has given much of his time and means for years to. various charitable and public enterprises. He was one of the original found- ers of the Academy of Medicine, which was established in New York city in 1847, and is one of the four surviving incorporators of that well known insti- tution, which, as it is conceded, has played a very important part in the medical world in the past half century.
In 1861 his love for his country led Dr. Hall to leave his large and remunerative practice in New York, in order to volunteer his services as a sur- geon. This was early in the war, before the medical staff had been enlarged to the necessary proportions for properly attending to the wounded and suffering soldiers. Dr. Hall went to the front after several of the great and disastrous battles, when he knew surgeons would be in demand, and cheerfully gave his aid to those who needed his ministry. In recognition of his heroic work and unselfish devotion to the poor boys who " wore the blue " he was granted a commission as major. For many years he was accounted one of the leading and representative physicians of New York city; he is one of the trustees of the American Savings Bank of New York city; for one term acted as park commissioner, and was one of the Brooklyn bridge commissioners. In 1877 he served as trustee and secretary, and was appointed consulting surgeon, for over twenty years, of the Northern Dispensary, and in 1887 was president of that institution, serving in that capacity for one year. Was one of the found- ers of the Society for the Benefit of Widows and Orphans of Medical Men. Religiously he is a Presbyterian, as was his father before him. Though now
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in his eightieth year, he is hale and hearty, bidding fair to live to enjoy a score more of years. His genial, kindly disposition makes him a general favorite, and his friends are indeed legion. During the winter months he spends his time in the city, where the major portion of his life has been passed, and in the summer he enjoys a season of quiet, amid the beauties of nature, at his pleasant country home at Milton's Point, New York.
JOHN G. PEENE.
John G. Peene, capitalist, farmer and president of a transportation com- pany, has for many years been a prominent factor in the business and public interests of Yonkers. He was born in this city on the 23d of February, 1843, and is a son of Captain Joseph and Caroline (Garrison) Peene. The father was for many years closely connected with the business of river navi- gation. He was born in the village of Lydd, Kent, England, where his father, Joseph Peene, was also born and where the family had lived for many generations. From a very early age he followed the sea, and his first visit to America was made as a sailor on a passenger vessel which landed in New York in 1834. The following year he again came to the shores of the New World, and resolved to make his home in the United States. Accord- ingly he secured employment on a sloop and in 1839 began boating from Yonkers, which was the beginning of the extensive transportation business now carried on by the well known firm of Peene Brothers. With the pass- ing years his patronage increased and he enlarged his facilities until he was at the head of the Benjamin Franklin Transportation Company. He con- tinued his active connection with the business until 1873, when he retired, being succeeded by his three sons,-John G., Joseph and George, -who have since been associated with the management of the transportation line under the firm name of Peene Brothers.
Captain Joseph Peene was married to Miss Caroline Garrison, a daugh- ter of Captain John Garrison. She is descended from one of the old families of Holland. Her grandfather, Garrett Garrison, was a native of Holland and married a Miss Fowler. He founded the family in America, and his son, John Garrison, was born and reared in Yonkers, where he became a promi- nent and influential citizen and a successful business man, largely interested in sloops and other boats plying on the Hudson river between Yonkers and New York city. He married Sarah Fowler and among their children was Caroline, who became the wife of Captain Joseph Peene. By this marriage were born seven children, four sons and three daughters: John G .; Joseph; George; William, deceased; Emma, wife of Thomas Moore, a resident of Yonkers; Mary A., wife of Benjamin W. Stillwell; and Katie, wife of
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George Farnham, a resident of Saratoga, New York. The father of these children died in March, 1897, but their mother is still living and is now in her seventy-sixth year. He was for many years a leading citizen of Yonkers, and while not a politician in the common acceptation of the term he served for several years as police commissioner and street commissioner, discharg- ing his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. He was for many years. a member and officer in the Reformed church at Yonkers, and was always most liberal in his support of every measure calculated to advance the gen- eral welfare. He started out in life a poor boy, but by determined purpose, laudable ambition and indefatigable energy, he attained a position among the substantial citizens of Yonkers and was enabled to surround his family not only with the necessities but also many of the luxuries of life. In 1870 he erected a beautiful residence on Warburton avenue, and his last years were spent in the enjoyment of a well earned rest in the home that his labors had procured.
John G. Peene spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and acquired his literary education in the public schools. Diversified experiences in the affairs of life, keen observation and a retentive memory have also. greatly added to his fund of knowledge, bringing him that practical wisdom so essential in the business world. When only fourteen years of age he began earning his own livelihood, being employed as cook on a boat running. on the Hudson river. Later he was engaged in the draying business for two years, -a foreshadowing of his extensive and profitable transportation busi- ness of the present day. In 1863 he joined the Union army in the capacity of quartermaster, and, returning to Yonkers on the close of hostilities, he- became connected with a transfer company of this city. Subsequently, however, he became interested in river transportation, and in 1873, in con- nection with his brothers, Joseph and George, succeeded to the business- established by his father. He is now president of the company, and thus in control of a very extensive enterprise. The brothers have added to the line the lighter City of Yonkers, the steamer Caroline A. Peene, named in honor of their mother, the barge Hudson River and the tugboat Frank A. Sears. These boats all make daily trips to New York city, the Caroline A. Peene with passengers and freight and the others with freight alone. They carry many hundreds of tons of freight each week, transporting all the products. of the Yonkers factories, markets and stores. The business is very large and profitable, and the members of the company exert a commanding influ- ence in commercial circles in this city.
In 1873 John G. Peene was appointed harbor master of New York city, which position he filled with ability. He is a man of marked enterprise, and his sound judgment and keen discrimination have been important factors in-
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carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In addi- tion to his duties in connection with the transportation company, he superin- tends the operation of an extensive farm. In 1890 Mr. Peene purchased what was known as the Washington Hill farm, now known as Heather Bell. The place then comprised seventy-eight acres of land, but from time to time he has extended its boundaries until his possessions now aggregate two hundred and twenty acres, -a valuable property, -from which he derives a handsome income. The place is supplied with large and substantial barns for the shelter of his stock, and all the conveniences and accessories of the model farm are there found. Most of the land is seeded down to grass and the verdant meadows afford ample pasturage for cattle and horses. He keeps on hand about forty milch cows, high grades of the Jersey, Holstein and Guernsey breeds, and is doing an excellent dairy business. He also raises many fine horses, noted for their beauty, grace and speed. Mr. Peene is very fond of the noble steed and takes great delight in driving a fine team.
The home of Mr. Peene is a palatial residence, surrounded by magnifi- cent shade-trees and an extensive and well kept lawn. In the affairs of the city he has taken an active and commendable interest, doing all in his power to advance the welfare and public progress. For four years he served as mayor and his administration witnessed many needed reforms and the intro- duction of some very beneficial improvements. In business he sustains an unassailable reputation and for his success he certainly deserves great credit. Starting out in life empty-handed, he steadily worked his way upward and by his enterprise, indefatigable energy, strong resolution and laudable ambi- tion has won a handsome property which classes him among the capitalists of Yonkers.
HARVEY HUSTED.
Harvey Husted, court stenographer and one of the leading and represent- ative citizens of White Plains, New York, is a native of Westchester county, born at Tarrytown, on the banks of the Hudson river, July 12, 1854, and is a son of Nathan W. and Amenia (Palmer) Husted. The birth of his father occurred in the same county in 1823, and there he engaged in business as a merchant tailor for over forty years. In his political affiliations he was a stanch Democrat, and for two years he served as supervisor of his town. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Samuel Husted, also a native of Westchester county and a farmer by occupation, and the great-grandfather was Nathaniel Husted. Robert Husted was the founder of the family in America, having emigrated to this country from England about the year 1630. On the maternal side our subject's grandparents are Harvey and Phebe (Husted) Palmer, the former also a native of Westchester county. It
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will thus be seen that the family has been identified with the history of this county from its earliest settlements, and they have always been numbered among its most valued and useful citizens.
Reared in Tarrytown, Harvey Husted obtained his early education in the public schools of that place, and finished his literary training in the acad- emy there. At the age of fifteen he entered his father's store and continued with him for four years, during which time he commenced the study of ste- nography, devoting all his spare moments in acquiring a knowledge of that art. His father, thinking he was wasting his time, often requested him to lay it aside, as in his judgment it would be of no service to him; but on step- ping into an office in New York city one day, he asked what they were pay- ing a good stenographer a year, and the reply was from two to five thousand dollars! Returning home he told his son that he was willing he should proceed with his studies, and our subject therefore continued until he had completed the course. When the court stenographer resigned in 1876 he was appointed by the court to fill the vacancy, and on the expiration of the term was re-appointed by Hon. J. O. Dykman, continuing in the position up to the present time, -a period of over twenty years. He is also a director of the Home Savings Bank of White Plains. His aim in life has always been to attain the best, and he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. The thoroughness and persistency with which he applied himself while learning stenography has characterized his entire career, and has been supplemented by a careful attention to details and by honorable, straightforward effort, that has gained him a most excellent and enviable reputation. For the past twelve years he has been a member of the board of education at White Plains and is treasurer of the same.
Mr. Husted married Miss Caddie L. Greene, a native of Tarrytown, New York, and a daughter of Jonathan H. Greene. They had two daugh- ters and one son, of whom two are now living: Edwin Warren, aged eleven years, and Mabel G. For his second wife, Mr. Husted married Miss G. C. Huestis, a daughter of William H. Huestis, and to them have been born two children, -Evellyn G. and Francis.
JAMES D. TALLEY.
One of the prominent citizens of Mount Vernon, Westchester county, is James Dunham Talley, now president of the local board of civil-service com- missioners. He is very active and influential in the councils of the Demo- cratic party of this section, is a great worker in the local fire department and stands well in various fraternal and social orders. Though he has made his home here only for the past four years he is well known and thoroughly
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respected by a large and ever widening circle of acquaintances and friends, comprising some of our best citizens.
A son of Bartley and Catherine Ann (Dunham) Talley, our subject was born in New York city December 3, 1848. He was deprived of the watch- ful love and guidance of his father when but five years of age, and thence- forth grew up under the tender care of his widowed mother, whose death occurred June 30, 1894, when she was seventy one years of age. She was of English descent, and for several generations her forefathers were residents of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Bartley Talley was likewise a native of that town, and was a ship carpenter by trade, which calling he followed in New York city from 1845 until his death, November 4, 1853, at the age of twenty-nine years. He was a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and was also an Odd Fellow. He left three sons and one daughter, namely: Alexander S., James D., Charles E. and Catherine Ann.
J. D. Talley acquired a liberal education in the public schools of New York city, and when in his sixteenth year he entered a printing-office. Aft- erward he learned the carpenter's trade, being successfully employed in that vocation in the metropolis for some fourteen years. Since then he has held a position as foreman in a line of mechanical work in New York, and is con- sidered an honorable, efficient, upright man, thoroughly understanding his business and conscientious in the performance of his duties. During the war of the Rebellion he was of service in the Union army as an assistant to a surgeon, for he was too young to enter the regular military service as he desired. At present he is the foreman of the Central Hose Company of Mount Vernon, having acted in this capacity for four years, an active and reliable member of the fire department. In this connection he is identified with the Firemen's Benevolent Association of Mount Vernon, and the Boss. Truck Association. In the Masonic order he belongs to Hiawatha Lodge, F. & A. M .; Mount Zion Chapter, No. 231, R. A. M. ; and is also a member of the O. D. O. For some time he has been financially interested in the Home Building & Loan Association.
April 27, 1882, Mr. Talley married Miss Catherine E. Carr, a daughter of John W. Carr, of New York city.
F. S. COOK.
The gentleman to a brief review of whose life we now direct attention- F. S. Cook-is the third son of Thomas and Mary (Campbell) Cook, and was born at Newark, New Jersey, April 15, 1855.
Tracing the agnatic line, we find him descended from Holland and.
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French ancestors, and the name was formerly Koch. His great-great-grand- father, Heinrich Koch, came to America in the early part of the eighteenth century. He had three sons, -Barnabas, Henry and Michael, -who changed the spelling from Koch to Cook. One of these sons settled in the western part of New York state, another in the upper Hudson river country, and Henry, great-grandfather of our subject, settled in what is now Caldwell, New Jersey. He married Yanakee Peer, who was of French descent, and among their children was a son, Isaac, grandfather of F. S., who married Mary Spier, of Spiertown, New Jersey. He was a farmer, a justice of the peace and in politics a Whig, and was prominent in the public affairs of Cald- well. He died at Newark.
His family comprised six children, among whom was Thomas, the father of our subject, born near Caldwell, New Jersey, in 1821. Thomas Cook became a merchant at Newark, New Jersey, and was also extensively engaged for many years in railroad contracting. He built a section of the Erie Rail- road, running through Orange, New York. As a merchant he dealt in jew- elers' supplies and other goods, and ran a line of schooners along the Jersey coast. He subsequently became engaged in developing and improving the southern part of the city of Newark, which occupied his time until the break- ing out of the civil war. When war was inaugurated he desired to enlist his services for his country, but could not on account of disability. For a time, however, he was on hospital duty and rendered valued service. During the war he moved with his family to Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, where he was occupied in developing farm and mill property. He subsequently also devel- oped a timber tract in New Hampshire. He died in 1894, at Yonkers, New York, at the age of seventy-three years. In politics he was in early life a Whig and later independent. He believed in prohibition and was an earnest temperance worker.
On his mother's side, Mr. Cook is descended from North-of-Ireland stock, the Campbells; also in his maternal ancestry is found a strain of French blood. Great-grandfather Campbell served in the Revolutionary war. His wife was by maiden name Mary Day. His grandfather, a Mr. McDermott, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Cook's mother's people at one time resided upon and owned the present site of Morristown, New Jersey, and figured prominently in the history of that town, among them being Judge Reynolds, a veteran of the civil war and a member of the New Jersey leg- islature.
Of the four sons of Thomas and Mary Cook, we record that all of them studied civil engineering and followed it for a profession, one, however, leav- ing it for the profession of law, which he followed to the time of his death. The eldest son, Thomas V., served in the Thirty-ninth New Jersey Volun- 59
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teer Regiment during the latter part of the war of the Rebellion. One of the daughters, M. Emma Van Arsdale, is a landscape painter of considerable talent, a pupil of the celebrated painter Gifford, and resides at Plainfield, New Jersey.
F. S. Cook, the direct subject of this article, received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Newark, New Jersey, and after their removal, as above recorded, to Pennsylvania, he continued his studies in private schools, thus preparing himself for entering Cornell University, in 1871. On account of the panic of 1873, however, he was compelled to abandon his cherished hope, that of completing a college course, and his studies were carried forward under the instructions of a private tutor. In this way he fitted himself for civil engineering. He has during the twenty-seven years in which he has been engaged in this profession been associated with some of the best known and most celebrated engineers in the country, which associa- ition has afforded him excellent opportunities for advancement in his profes- sion. During this time he has been engaged upon some of the most difficult and important contracts on public works of various kinds that have been prosecuted, some of which are as follows: Construction of the Jersey City water works, laying out of streets and other public improvements in that city, and construction of the New Jersey Midland Railroad, and some of the coal roads in Pennsylvania, and other improvements, -all previous to 1877. He assisted in the construction of the New York Elevated Railroad, in 1877 and 1878; construction of the New York, West Shore & Buffalo and New York, Ontario & Western, besides numerous private enterprises during the same time. Since 1884 he has been engaged upon the construction of the New York water works, Croton dam, aqueducts and reservoirs. He is also now engaged on the Panama Railroad designs, in which he was associated with the eminent Captain James B. Eades, of Mississippi river fame, and E. L. Corthell, Walter Catty and A. Fletty. In addition to the public works above referred to Mr. Cook has laid out a great deal of real estate, covering, perhaps, more than two thousand acres in Westchester county, New York, into plats and building sites, much of the work in his own town and locality being done by him.
Mr. Cook was married in 1881 to Miss Josephine S. Mervin, daughter of S. O. Mervin, of Norfolk, Virginia, she being a direct descendant of colo- nial ancestors. The first of her ancestors to settle in this country were New Englanders and by occupation shipbuilders. Later there was one William Arnold, of Rhode Island, a member of her family, who had a son, Benedict, who became governor of Rhode Island and served in that capacity eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have had four daughters, Frederick, Isabelle, Maria and Florence, all now living except the last named.
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