USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 53
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Mr. Hoffmeister was married three times. His first wife, who was a native of Hanover, Germany, and whom he married in that country, died of cholera, in August, soon after landing in America. In 1852 Mr. Hoffmeister wedded Miss Margaret Lutz, of New York city, and they had one daughter, named Amelia, who is now the wife of Julius Kusche, of New Rochelle. For his third wife our subject chose Miss Isabelle Wendling, a native of Ford- ham, New York. Her father, Frederick Wendling, deceased, was one of the old and honored citizens of New Rochelle, a native of Bavaria, Germany, born in Salzhof, December 24, 1814. He came to America when a young man and worked at his trade of cabinet-making in New York city for a short time, and was advised to go to the country, on account of his poor health, and consequently he came to New Rochelle, in 1845, and took charge of the Thomas Ronalds estate for twenty-eight years, which he conducted honestly and faithfully until the death of the proprietor. He amassed considerable property. For a time he conducted a soda-water business in New Rochelle. He was active until about three years before his death. He was a man of the highest integrity, and his counsels were sought by many, and his life was such as to serve for an example for honesty and integrity. His death was a
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serious loss to the community, although he had passed the period of activity. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He was married in Zion's church, New York city, August 31, 1842, to Miss Isabella Kerney, a native of Canada, who died in 1863, after having had six children, -Isabella, Emily, Frederick, John, Rebecca and Adam, all deceased but two,-Isabella and Emily, the latter the wife of Henry Berger.
THE D. S. JACKSON FAMILY.
Prominent among the families that have made Yonkers their home in the present generation are the descendants of Henry Jackson, of New York city, and Katherine Sherwood. On the paternal side they are identified with the annals of early New York, and they can trace their maternal line of ancestry back to several of the most distinguished settlers of Westchester county.
David Sherwood Jackson, the grandson of Henry Jackson, married Elizabeth Williams, a daughter of Dr. Abraham Valentine Williams, of Fordham, and his first wife, Emneline Davia. Dr. Williams was a son of Elisha Williams and Ann Valentine, and was thus descended from two of the oldest and most representative families of the county. During the early years of the present century he was among the best known physicians in New York, in which state, at Bloomingdale, he for a long time commanded a lucrative practice. He was connected by marriage with the Odell and Dyckman families, of Westchester.
Of the children of David Sherwood Jackson and Elizabeth, nee Williams, Sarah Catharine, the eldest, married Frederick Agate, the only son of the late Joseph Agate, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Yonkers. Frederick Agate died in Luzerne, Switzerland, and his wife in New York city. Two children survive them, - Frederick and May Agate, - who now reside in Yonkers.
Abraham Valentine Williams Jackson, the second child of David Sher- wood Jackson and Elizabeth, née Williams, was born in New York, February 9, 1862, and was instructed in the rudiments of knowledge in the public and private schools of that city. Having at an early age evinced a strong pas- sion for study, he was entered as a student at Columbia College, New York, in 1879, with the design of preparing him for one of the learned professions. In 1883 he was graduated at that university at the head of his class, winning thereby the prize fellowship in letters, which enabled him to prosecute a post-graduate course of study for three years. In 1884 the degree of M. A. was conferred upon him by Columbia College; in 1885 the degree of L. H.D .; and in 1886 the degree of Ph. D. In 1887 he was appointed instructor in
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the Anglo-Saxon and the Iranian languages at Columbia, at the same time that he was prosecuting a course of special study in the University of Halle, Germany. In 1889 Professor Jackson married Dora Elizabeth Ritter, of Yonkers, a daughter of the late John Peter Ritter, who for twenty-five years was assistant manager of the New York Clearing House.
From 1891 until 1895 Professor Jackson filled the chair of adjunct pro- fessor of the English language and literature at Columbia, and in the latter year was appointed professor of the Indo-Iranian languages at the same university. His reputation as an oriental scholar was by this time firmly established, both in this country and abroad. He was elected a member of the American Oriental Society, of the American Philological Society, of the Deutsche Morgenlandische Gesellschaft, and other learned bodies, while his services as a lecturer were in constant demand. As an author Professor Jackson has gained a distinguished position in American literature, and especially among learned men. Besides contributing many articles to the journals and periodicals at home and abroad, he has written several books of permanent value. In 1888 he published " A Hymn of Zoroaster, Vasna XXXI; " in 1892, " An Avesta Grammar, in Compari- son with Sanskrit; " in 1893, " An Avesta Reader; " and in 1898, " Zoroaster, the Prophet of Ancient Iran." The last named work is regarded by oriental- ists as a classic, and promises to hand down its author's name to posterity. Unlike most men of learning, Professor Jackson takes an active interest in the social and political affairs in the community in which he resides. In recognition of his public spirit he was appointed a trustee of the board of education of Yonkers in 1898,-a position which he has since filled with fidelity and efficiency.
Lily Hearns Jackson, the youngest child of David Sherwood Jackson and Elizabeth née Williams, married George Edward Stevens, formerly of New Haven, but now a resident of Yonkers. Mr. Stevens is largely interested in the New Haven Clock Company, and is at present one of its officers. The children of this marriage are two sons,-George Edward, Jr., and John.
DENNIS O'NEILL.
Mr. O'Neill, who is one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Bronxville, was born in West-Made, Ireland, in 1844, a son of John and Julia (Loran) O'Neill, natives also of " Erin's green isle." His father died in that country, October 18, 1846, but his mother, born in 1807, is still liv- ing and is in the full possession of all her faculties.
Mr. O'Neill, the subject proper of this sketch, was educated in his native country, in the common schools, until he was fifteen years of age, when he
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commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, which he completed and followed until he came to America, in 1866. His first two years in this country he spent in New York city, at his trade. In August, 1868, he moved to Bronx- ville and entered the employ of Frederick Opendyke, a superintending car- penter, and remained in his service for thirteen years. Then he began con- tracting and building on his own account, in Bronxville, South Woodland, Port Chester and other towns in the vicinity, completing buildings from cellar to roof.
As an evidence of his public spirit we may refer to the fact that he has been one of the principal advocates of good roads, so changing much of the adverse sentiment of the community that he rejoices to-day in witnessing the great results in the improvements of the highways, which are now among the best in the state.
In his political views he is a stanch Democrat, doing much efficient work for the advancement of his party. He has held many local offices, and is now justice of the peace, having been three times elected. He has long since established a good reputation for a judicial character, and is in every way highly esteemed by the community.
In matrimony he was united with Miss Ellen Brown, daughter of John Brown, by whom he has one daughter living, named Margaret E. The family are members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Roman Catholic, at Tuckahoe, in which beautiful village they have a fine residence, on one of the principal streets.
JOHN I. THOM.
For almost a quarter of a century John I. Thom has been prominently associated with the business interests of Pleasantville, meriting the high praise which is cordially extended him by every one who enjoys his acquaint- anceship. He is a native of Mount Pleasant, New York, his birth having occurred October 28, 1847. He comes from a sterling, honored old family of this state, his parents having been Isaac and Emeline (Roswell) Thom, the latter a daughter of John and Esther (Rogue) Roswell. They all followed agricultural pursuits, leading quiet, industrious lives, without fear or reproach, as they endeavored to perform their daily duties in a conscientious manner and were loving and just to their associates and all with whom they had dealings. After having reared seven children to maturity, seeing them take useful places in the busy world, Isaac Thom and wife passed to their reward, he dying at the age of seventy-seven years, while she was just three- score years old at the time of her demise. He was a Republican in his polit- ical attitude, believing firmly in the superiority of that party. Of his fam- ily but four are now living, namely: Mariette; Deborah; Abbie Jane, wife
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of Ed Conklin, of Hudson, New York, and John I .; George, Samuel and Esther have passed into the silent land.
Upon the home farm John I. Thom was reared and educated in the manner common to boys of the agricultural class in his day. By the time that he had arrived at his majority he found himself possessed of a fair gen- eral education and a thorough knowledge of the proper way to carry on a farm. However, his tastes did not lead him to continue as a farmer and he eventually drifted into business. Coming to Pleasantville, he proceeded to devote his talents to various enterprises and for a number years has been the proprietor of a finely equipped livery stable. His horses are of an unusually high grade, comprising good roadsters and saddle animals; and a full line of first-class vehicles of different kinds may be found here. As a business man he has met with success and has acquired a comfortable competence.
Upon arriving at man's estate, John I. Thom was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Wheeler, who was born at North Salem, this county, a daughter of Ira Wheeler, of that place. By this union five children were born: Lillie W., May Rose, Edith O., Ernest and Thomas. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1880, and Mr. Thom subsequently wed- ded Miss Esther Odell, a daughter of Leonard and Martha Odell. One son graces the second union of our subject, John Leonard by name. Mr. and Mrs. Thom are members of the Presbyterian church. Following in the political footsteps of his father, he is an unswerving Republican, patriotic and public-spirited.
ALBERT FINCH.
Albert Finch, a skillful mechanic and expert electrician, is one of the respected citizens of Yonkers, Westchester county. He is a native of the city of New York, born December 7, 1844, his parents being Robert T. and Deborah (Bridgeman) Finch. He is of English ancestry, and his paternal grandfather was a resident of Berkshire and an adherent of the Episcopal church. He lived to attain the ripe age of four-score years. Robert Finch, the father of our subject, was born in Berkshire and there learned the trade of cabinet-making, which calling he followed throughout his life. On attain- ing his majority he came to the United States and took up his residence in New York city, where he married a daughter of Thomas Bridgeman, a well known florist. Mr. Bridgeman was possessed of considerable wealth, owning much valuable property on Broadway, and his greenhouses and flower gar- dens were located at Eighteenth street and Broadway, where he occupied an entire square. He was connected with various horticultural and agricultural societies, and his opinions were received as authority upon subjects relating
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to his line of business. He was an earnest member of the Baptist church and was noted for his many acts of kindness and benevolence. Politically he was a Democrat. His children were seven in number, and were named as follows: Joseph, John, Alfred, Angela, Deborah, Martha and Emily.
Albert Finch received an excellent education in the schools of the metropolis and Yonkers, and after completing his studies worked for four years upon farms in Rockland county, New York. Being too ambitious to settle down to the routine of an agricultural life, he then began learning the business of a machinist with Otis Brothers & Company, of this city. He remained in the employ of that firm for eight years, during which time he thoroughly mastered the business, and in 1871 he entered upon his long term of service with the firm of Eickemeyer & Osterheld, covering a period of twenty-two years. The firm controls one of the large hat-manufacturing establishments of the country, and Mr. Finch had charge of their construc- tion and experimental work. With his able assistance the electric motor for trolleys, an invention of the senior member of the firm, was placed in suc- cessful operation and has since been introduced in many sections of the coun- try with gratifying success. Many lines using this system are now in pros- perous and flourishing condition, both financially and mechanically. When in 1893 the electrical branch of the business was sold to the Otis Electric Company, Mr. Finch was sought by the latter firm to fit up their new plant with machinery and to act as foreman of the enterprise. Accepting the prof- fered position, he is now connected with this well known corporation, and. under his supervision has from seventy-five to one hundred and sixty men, according to the amount of contracts on hand.
In 1866 Mr. Finch was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Smith, a. daughter of John Smith, of England. They became the parents of three children, two of whom died before receiving a name. The other child, Ida, is now the wife of Charles Thompson, and is a resident of King's Bridge, New York. In political matters Mr. Finch is entirely independent of party ties and exercises his franchise in support of the men and measures which he believes will most promote the public good. He is identified with the Masonic order, the Exempt Firemen's Association and the Otis Mutual Ben- efit Association.
WILLIAM PATEMAN.
William Pateman, senior member of the firm of Pateman & Lockwood, lumber dealers, of Irvington, has thus been prominently connected with the business interests of the city for twenty-three years, and sustains an unsullied reputation in commercial circles. A native of New Jersey, he was born in the city of Newark, July 2, 1827, and is a son of John and Sarah J. Pate-
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man. The father was likewise a native of New Jersey, but the mother was born in England in the year 1800. After their marriage they located in the town of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where Mr. Pateman engaged in contract- ing and building for a number of years. Later he took up his abode in. Newark, where he spent the residue of his days. His wife passed away in 1878.
In his youth William Pateman pursued his education at night in a pri- vate school conducted by Dr. Howland, at Tarrytown. He is strictly a self- made man in the best sense of that term, for at an early age he started out upon an independent business career, first serving an apprenticeship at the brick and stone mason's trade. He also learned the business of lathing and. plastering, and having worked in those lines to some extent in Newark he afterward became interested in freighting on the Hudson, which pursuit he followed until 1866. He then turned his attention to the lumber business, in which he was engaged, as a inember of the firm of Taylor & Pateman, at Dobbs Ferry for six years. The opportunities of the west next attracted. him, and he purchased a farm in Morris county, Kansas, continuing its opera- tion and development until 1875, when he returned to the east and purchased the interest of Andrew Storm in the lumber business at Irvington. Prior to 1876. he had entered into partnership with S. B. Lockwood, under the firm name of Lockwood & Pateman, and the new firm dealt in lumber and mason's. materials. In 1888 the style of the company became as at present, Pateman & Lockwood, and the firm is one of the best known and most reliable rep- resentatives of the lumber trade in this section of the county. A large and well selected stock of lumber and all kinds of mason's and builder's materials. and supplies are kept constantly on hand, and as the yards are conveniently located near the New York Central Railroad tracks, the firm does an exten- sive and constantly increasing outside business. By intelligent and well direct- ed energy Mr. Pateman has made a success of his commercial enterprises, and at the same time he has won an enviable reputation for uprightness and hon- orable dealing in all his transactions.
In 1849 Mr. Pateman was united in marriage to Miss Harriet F. Weeks, a daughter of Absalom Weeks, of North Tarrytown, and by this union two sons and four daughters were born, namely: Sarah E., who died in May, 1875; Irene, wife of H. J. Parnell, of Tarrytown; Mary Viola, wife of Will- iam S. Mack; William Thomas, Albert and Edna Hester. The mother died in May, 1874, and in 1878 Mr. Pateman was again married, his second union being with Mary M. Miller, of Bedford, Westchester county, a daughter of Charles M. and Sarah (Holmes) Miller. They have two children, Edith A. and Charles M., who are attending the schools of Irvington. The name of Mr. Pateman appears on the membership roll of Diamond Lodge, No. 555,
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A. F. & A. M., and he is regarded as a valued representative of the order. He and his wife are members of Christ church, of Tarrytown, and are active in all good works whereby their fellow men are to be benefited and elevated. They have many sincere friends in the community in which they reside, and are highly respected by all who know them. Since starting out in life for himself Mr. Pateman has steadily worked his way upward and as the result of his capable management, untiring energy and keen discretion in business affairs has won a most creditable success.
RICHARD G. BENNETT.
Mr. Bennett, who was appointed postmaster of Tuckahoe, Westchester county, New York, January 1, 1898, as the successor to Isaac B. Lent, was born in Staffordshire, England, January 6, 1841, and while an infant his father died. His mother, whose name before marriage was Sarah Webber, was a native of England, and for her second husband married John Massey. In 1860 they emigrated to America, when the family consisted of the step- father, the mother and a step-brother. They first settled on Long Island, New York, upon a farm, where they remained until 1863.
Early in the war of the great Rebellion Mr. Bennett enlisted for the Union and the government, joining Company H, Fourth Regiment of Massa- chusetts Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Washburne, who was killed near the close of the war. The regiment to which Mr. Bennett was attached was sent to South Carolina and stationed for a time at Beaufort, and thence went to Fortress Monroe and to Newport News, where it was placed under the command of General B. F. Butler, who had been in com- mand of the Army of the Gulf and was now in charge of the Army of the James. The regiment remained there until the fall of Richmond, when it was assigned to duty under General Charles Paine, and after- ward General Terry. With this regiment Mr. Bennett participated in the battle in front of Richmond, and during that engagement he contracted a "cold " from which he never fully recovered; however, he continued in the service until the surrender of General Lee and the virtual end of the war. With four others, he was the first to enter Richmond, and was also one of the guards of honor selected to escort General Robert E. Lee across the lines after his surrender. Mr. Bennett was often detailed to carry important dispatches to commanding officers. He was honorably discharged from the army December 14, 1865. His stepfather, John Massey, was also a soldier in the same war, a member of the Eleventh New York Heavy Artillery, and during the last portion of the period of his service he was at Boston Harbor.
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After his discharge Mr. Bennett visited his old home in England, and, returning, settled on Long Island, where he married Miss Charlotte Webber, of Long Island, a daughter of Thomas Webber. She was a native of Nova Scotia, and when she was a little girl was brought by her parents to Long Island in their emigration to that section of New York. His children are Ellen S., Edna F., Lillie G., Richard A., Anna G., Geraldine L., Emma and Irene. In 1867 Mr. Bennett moved to Tuckahoe, where he has since resided. From that year until 1898 he was a contractor and builder, and in January, 1898, he was appointed postmaster, as already mentioned, for a term of four years.
In his political principles Mr. Bennett is a Republican. For the past fourteen years he has served his village as a trustee, five years of which time he was president of the board. He is a member of Farnsworth Post, G. A. R., at Mount Vernon; and of Marble Lodge, No. 702, F. & A. M., of which he was master for three years. He is also one of the wardens of St. John's church, Protestant Episcopal, at Tuckahoe. He is a trustee of the Building
and Loan Association and of the Tuckahoe Lyceum. .
FRANCIS P. TREANOR.
An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have hon- ored the state to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to the one whose name initiates this paragraph. He holds distinctive precedence in Democratic circles in Westchester county, in fact is an important factor in the party in connection with its state man- agement and policy. He has held positions of prominence, in all of which his course has been characterized by a masterful understanding of the prob- lems presented, and by a patriotic devotion to those measures which he believed for the public good. Over his political record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil and he is popular among the political leaders of the Empire state.
Born in New York city, on the 11th of May, 1856, he is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Tammany) Treanor. His father, who was born in 1810, died in 1875, at the age of sixty-five years. In the family were three sons and a daughter. James J., the eldest, is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier's Col- lege, which has conferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Mas- ter of Arts, and had the honor of being valedictorian of his class. He is now engaged in the stone business in New York city, and is one of the prominent and brilliant men of the metropolis. John A., the second of the family, was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier College, became a member of the Jesuit
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order of Catholic priests and vice-president of St. John's College, of New York city. He was also vice-president of St. Francis Xavier College, of New York, and pastor of St. Lawrence church, on Eighty-fourth street. In 1881, in company with Judge Donahue of the supreme court, he made an extended trip through the west. While descending the Yosemite valley in a carriage the vehicle was overturned and he was killed. He was a man of great learn- ing and one of the most distinguished priests in the city. Margaret, the only daughter of the family, was graduated in the convent of the Sacred Heart, then became a sister in that order, and there died in 1884.
The other son of the family is Francis P. Treanor, of this review. He was educated at Montreal, Canada, and in St. Francis Xavier's College, in New York city, receiving from the latter institution the degree of A. B. upon his graduation in 1877. Three years later he was selected by his alma mater to address the graduating class of 1880, at Chickering Hall, New York city. This is considered a great honor by the alumni, and the recognition of Mr. Treanor's ability in this manner was most fitting and well deserved. On leaving school he became associated with his father in the stone business, a connection that was continued for several years. Later he was a member of the firm of Hurst & Treanor and is now the junior member of the firm of J. J. & F. P. Treanor. Their business has grown to extensive proportions and brings to them a handsome income. They are accounted among the leaders of the stone trade in the metropolis, and at the present writing, in the spring of 1899, Mr. Treanor is in the employ of the corporation counsel, Mr. Clark, of New York city, in charge of the construction of the Empire City Trotting track, at Yonkers, which will be the finest track in the world when completed. He possesses keen discrimination in business affairs, marked enterprise and sound judgment and his well directed efforts have brought him a most creditable and gratifying success.
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