USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 54
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But while Mr. Treanor enjoys a most enviable reputation in commercial circles, he is probably better known throughout the state in connection with his political labors. His knowledge of the issues of the day is broad and comprehensive, and his opinions are the result of careful deliberation. In 1879, when only twenty-three years of age, he was elected a member of the general assembly from the seventeenth district of New York city, receiving a majority of two thousand, when the year before there had been a Repub- lican majority of seven hundred and one. He served as the only Democratic member on the committee of cities from New York, that year, and with the exception of Theodore Roosevelt, the present governor, was the youngest member of that legislature. He was the only Democratic member appointed by the speaker on the committee to investigate the street-cleaning depart- ment of New York city, and following their report many changes and
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reforms were effected. In 1881 he was elected as a Tammany candidate from the old eleventh senatorial district, of New York, the largest district in the city at that time, extending from the thirtieth district to Harlem river, including the whole of the annexed district from the Harlem district to Long Island sound and the Yonkers line. His opponents were Senator T. E. C. Ecclecine, the regular Democratic nominee, and Steve Van Rensselaer, the Republican candidate, known as the "silver-tongued lawyer." He was elected by a majority of five thousand, when the year previous the district had given a Republican majority of thirty-five hundred. He was at that time the youngest man ever elected state senator in New York, being only twenty-six years of age. He served as chairman of the committee on com- merce and navigation, also of internal affairs, and was a member of the com- mittee on cities. In connection with Senator Grady, he was credited with accomplishing the famous deadlock which lasted for seven weeks before the organization of the senate. In 1884 he was again tendered the nomination for senator, but declined to accept on account of business reasons. He was once appointed a member of the police board by Mayor J. H. Bell, and was offered re-appointment by Mayor J. H. Weller. He refused the honor, but continued a member of the board of health, being three times re-appoint- ed to that board and serving throughout all the legislative changes which occurred from the time of its organization. Upon the retirement of W. H. Paddock from the presidency of the police board, Mr. Treanor was elected his successor, in which capacity he has served up to the present time, hav- ing been reappointed in October, 1897, for another term of four years, which will continue until 1901. At the last election he received thirteen out of fourteen votes cast, a fact which indicates in no uncertain manner the faith- fulness which marked his discharge of duty.
In 1880 Mr. Treanor was a delegate to the Democratic national con- vention, which nominated Hancock for the presidency. In 1882 he was a delegate to the state convention which nominated Grover Cleveland for the position of governor of New York, and was again a delegate in the state con- ventions of 1884, 1885 and 1898. He has frequently been a delegate to the county conventions, and was chairman thereof in 1896. He was a member of the original commission which drafted the bill for the creation of the pres- ent department of public works of Yonkers, organized in 1894. By Mr. Clark, corporation counsel of New York city, he was appointed a member of a com- mission of three members to appraise claims for damages amounting to over a million dollars done to property along the Bronx river, due to drainage for Kensico dam. The first award, as decreed by the court of appeals, required the city to pay only one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He was also a member of the board of health that destroyed the notorious unsanitary dams
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on the Nepperhan river. He is now chairman of the third-ward Democratic general committee and also of its executive committee, and belongs to the Democratic City Club, of New York city. Mr. Treanor was governor of the Palisade Boat Club for eight years and vice-president for three years, and is a gentleman of social qualities and genial disposition, popular in club, commercial and political circles. Of scholarly attainments, broad culture and genuine worth, he has risen to a position of prominence in the Empire state and is accorded the admiration and respect which he justly deserves.
In October, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Treanor and Miss Agnes O'Connor, and to them have been born two sons and two daughters: Mary, William J., Gladys M. and Frank P.
MRS. FLORENCE HILL.
The Florence Hotel of Tarrytown, unquestionably one of the most pop- ular hostelries of Westchester county, is finely situated upon a height over- looking the Hudson river and much of the town, and its advantages of loca- tion are obvious, as, at the same time it is on Broadway, a macadamized and well kept street, along which many of the most beautiful and attractive homes of the wealthy are built. The peculiar beauties of Tarrytown have often been told, in song and story, and visitors delight to haunt the scenes. made immortal by Washington Irving. From the great metropolis come hither the busy people, wearied with the ceaseless struggle for wealth and position, and find in the quiet peace and loveliness of nature hereabouts the rest and solace they crave. Among these throngs are to be found many of the patrons of the Florence Hotel, -many, too, who are periodical guests, for, having once come, they are almost certain to do so again, finding, as- they do here, all of the accustomed appointments of modern ways of living.
The Florence Hotel is owned by Colonel William J. Ryan, of Tarry- town, well known here and in New York city, as he deals extensively in real estate and is the possessor of numerous choice pieces of property in the metropolis. He is a native of the Empire state and grew to maturity here. Commencing his business career with but little means, he nevertheless. accumulated a snug fortune within a few years, by the exercise of unusually good judgment and enterprise. For years he dealt extensively in fine horses and live stock, and from time to time he made judicious investments in real estate. He leased the old Franklin House in Tarrytown, and after thor- oughly renovating and changing it from cellar to garret, and refurnishing it with modern fittings, changed the name to the one which it now bears-the. Florence Hotel. All kinds of expensive, practical improvements in the way of plumbing, steam and gas fitting are to be found in the establishment, and
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everything about the place tends toward the comfort of the guests. Over ten thousand dollars has recently been expended in the re-fitting of the house, and it is the intention of the proprietor to maintain a high standard of excellence in every department. During the summer of 1898 it was noted that numerous distinguished citizens of New York and other places stayed for a period at the Florence, and among the number, a few names, taken at random, from the hotel register, may be mentioned: Lieutenant Kleck, of the Seventy-first New York Regiment; Calvin W. Smith; Lieutenant Keene, of the Fourteenth New York Volunteer Infantry; Captain Evans; Hon. J. K. P. Hull, of Ridgeway Park; E. M. C. Elbert and J. Fisher, of New York city.
Much of the popularity of the Florence Hotel is due, without doubt, to the lady who has it in charge as manager-Mrs. Florence Hill. She is a native of New York city, receiving her education in its superior public schools, and, upon arriving at womanhood, became the wife of Mr. Hill, who died several years ago. Their only child, Charles Hill, a bright, promising boy, is now attending school at Tarrytown. Mrs. Hill's mother is now the wife of Colonel Ryan, who, as previously stated, is the owner of the Florence Hotel.
Mrs. Hill personally supervises the various departments of the hotel, and to her keen foresight and genuine business ability the success of the enter- prise must be attributed. Everything which can be done, conducing to the comfort and pleasure of visitors is promptly attended to, and the neatness and homelike appearance of the rooms is frequently commented upon. While the hotel is especially patronized in summer, when the beautiful scen- ery of the river and neighborhood is charming to any one, but particularly so to the inhabitant of the hot, dusty cities, each season of the year has its own peculiar loveliness here, the dainty, fresh greenness of the spring-time, the autumnal tints, and the pure snow and ice of winter along the Hudson, attracting fully as much admiration from the sight-seer and traveler as the full-blown glories of mid-summer.
JAMES ROSS.
The popular and efficient postmaster of New Rochelle, New York, has for several years been connected with the post-office and held other local offices of trust and responsibility, and is one of the leading and most public- spirited young men of the town.
Mr. Ross is a native of New Rochelle, was born December 19, 1860, and is a son of James G. and Catherine M. Ross, natives of Scotland, who have for many years made their home at New Rochelle. Here for a long term of 61
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years the senior Mr. Ross has been superintendent of the Beechwood ceme- tery.
In the public schools of his native town James Ross received a good edu- cation, and on leaving school accepted a position in the New Rochelle post- office, under Benjamin Badeau. He continued in the office under Postmas- ters A. M. Dederer and William V. Molloy, serving as assistant postmaster. In January, 1898, he was appointed postmaster, his appointment was con- firmed April 12, 1898, and May Ist he assumed the duties of the office, for which his long term of service has so ably fitted him. Other offices filled by him are those of clerk of the village, trustee and assessor, and in the last named office he is now serving bis third term, each term covering a period of three years. For the past seven years he has been chief of the fire depart- ment. Fraternally, he is identified with the Masonic order, and is a worthy member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M. Mr. Ross is unmarried.
LEMAN B. TREADWELL, SR.
As a member of the law firm of Scott & Treadwell, the subject of this review is enjoying a successful and lucrative practice at the bar of New York city, with office at No. 91 Nassau street. He is a native of Westchester county, born in Hartsdale, December 24, 1842, and is a son of David and Mary H. (Underhill) Treadwell, who also were born in the same county, the former in New Rochelle, March 8, 1811, the latter in the town of Green- burg, in May, 1804. The father was first a farm laborer, then a cartman in New York city, then a butcher, and later turned his attention to agricultura] pursuits. He died at White Plains, New York, in December, 1875, having gained a decided financial success. On both sides our subject is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His maternal grandfather, Gilbert Underhill, a native of Westchester county, was a baby in the cradle during the Revolutionary war, and was wounded by a British trooper. Captain John Treadwell, the paternal grandfather, held a captain's commission in the Con- tinental army, and was one of the men Benedict Arnold tried to surrender at West Point. He was born at Long Island, and was one of the early settlers of East Chester, this county. He was descended from Thomas Treadwell, who at one time was lieutenant-governor of New York and judge of one of the higher courts. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary DeVeau.
Leman B. Treadwell, whose name introduces this sketch, was princi- pally educated in the common schools, but also attended a private school taught by a Mr. St. Clair, an Episcopal clergyman. He then learned civil engineering, and also took up the study of law, in Moline, Illinois, and later with Charles Whitaker, of Davenport, Iowa. At the latter place he was
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admitted to the bar in 1875, and three years later returned to New York state and opened an office in Tarrytown, remaining there two years and a half. For the same length of time he also engaged in practice in Purdy, New York, but in 1884 removed to New York city, and from that time until 1886 was in partnership with James Henderson. In 1897 he formed a partnership with Henry W. Scott, ex-United States district judge of Oklahoma territory, and they are now enjoying an excellent practice, which is well merited. As a lawyer Mr. Treadwell understands the underlying principles on which law is founded, and as an advocate he is earnest, forcible, logical and eloquent. Socially he is a member of Dobbs Ferry Lodge, No. 555, F. & A. M., and Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 228, R. A. M.
Mr. Treadwell was first married, in 1866, to Miss Augusta Ward, of White Plains, New York, who died leaving one son, Adrian U., now a resident of Rahway, New Jersey. In 1876 he married Miss Phoebe Dayton, of Chap- paqua, Westchester county, a daughter of Joseph Dayton, and to them have been born two sons: Leman B., Jr., is now an editorial writer on the East Chester Citizen-Bulletin, of Tuckahoe, New York. This son was born Feb- ruary 28, 1877, was educated in the common schools, and remained with his father until 1895, when he began work in the office of the East Chester Citi- zen-Bulletin, and in the absence of the proprietor he was managing editor. Jesse Dayton, the second son, is also employed in the office of the Citizen-Bul- letin, at Tuckahoe.
JUDGE SMITH LENT.
Judge Smith Lent is a prominent member of the Westchester county bar and has been a resident of Sing Sing since 1875. He was born in Cort- landt, Westchester county, New York, December 1, 1850, a son of Isaac H. and Jane (McCoy) Lent, both now deceased. He received his early training in the district schools of his native county, and after completing the course therein prescribed he entered the State Normal School, where he graduated in due time, his diploma bearing date 1873. Following this he accepted a position as teacher in a high school near New Brunswick, New Jersey, and taught there and at Highland Falls, Orange county, New York, and in 1874 he entered a law school, in which he was graduated in 1875. That same year he came to Sing Sing and continued the pursuit of his legal studies in the office of Wilson & Baker. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1875, and in October, 1876, opened an office of his own.
Judge Lent is a Republican and has always been active in politics, hav- ing at heart the best interests of the people. He was in 1895 elected to the office of county judge.
The subject of our sketch was married, in 1879, to Miss Elizabeth Car-
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rick, a native of Albany, New York, and their union has been blessed with two children, Rosmond and John.
The Judge has for a number of years been affiliated with several fra- ternal organizations, including the Masonic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. In the Masonic order he has advanced to the thirty-second degree and has been an ardent Mason from the time he took his initiatory degrees in the blue lodge. He is a member of Trinity Episcopal church.
GEORGE F. ALLEN.
This gentleman, a successful merchant of Millwood, finds an appropri- ate place in the history of those men of business and enterprise in Westches- ter county whose force of character, sterling integrity, fortitude amid discour- agements and good sense in the management of complicated affairs have not only advanced individual interests, but have materially promoted the welfare of the community in which they reside. He is truly a self-made man, being the architect and builder of his own fortune.
Mr. Allen was born in New Castle township, this county, September 30, 1858, and is a son of Andrew Jackson Allen, a well known merchant of Chap- paqua, who also is a native of Westchester, born in 1829. His grandparents were Henry and Hester (Brady) Allen, the former a son of Robert and Mary (Funk) Allen, and the latter a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Kniffin) Brady. Henry Allen followed the occupations of blacksmithing and farming, was a strong Democrat in politics, and held several offices, including those of school superintendent, township clerk and supervisor. Religiously, he was a member of the Society of Friends. In his family were four children, namely: Andrew Jackson; Henry, a farmer of New Castle township; Mary, a resident of the same township; and Jeremiah, deceased.
A. Jackson Allen, father of our subject, was educated in the district schools of New Castle township, and in 1861 embarked in merchandising at Chappa- qua, where he engaged in business in that line until his death, in February, 1899. He had always been an active supporter of the Democratic party, served as a delegate to its various conventions, and was honored with a number of local offices, being township clerk, commissioner of highways, and in the spring of 1898 elected justice of the peace, a position he filled in a most creditable manner. With his family he attended the Friends church. In 1857 he married Miss Almira Reynolds, a daughter of Alva and Phoebe Ann (Field) Reynolds, and to them were born four children: George F., of this review; Jeremiah, a farmer of Yorktown, Westchester county; Alva, a resident of Millwood; and Hester, wife of David Hunt, of Williams Bridge.
During his boyhood and youth George F. Allen received a good educa-
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tion, which has well fitted him for the responsible duties of business life. In 1883 he began business in a small way at Millwood, but now enjoys an extensive and profitable trade as a dealer in general merchandise, flour and feed, and he is also successfully engaged in the livery business, having a barn twenty-eight by sixty feet, and carriage room twenty-eight by thirty feet. He has a fine line of carriages and some excellent roadsters. He carries a full and complete stock of general merchandise, and occupies a building twenty-five by fifty feet and two stories in height. Besides these he has three feed stores, and a new store house forty by fifty feet in dimensions and built in 1899; another, twenty-five by thirty-two feet; and the third, twenty- five by thirty feet. He has on hand at all times from one to ten car loads of feed, conducts a large coal yard, and does over six thousand dollars' worth of business per annum. He is an enterprising, wide-awake business man of known reliability, and the success that he has achieved in life is certainly well deserved.
In 1886 Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Anna Vantassel, a daughter of Samuel Vantassel, and three children grace their union: Ruth, George F., Jr., and Anna. In his political views Mr. Allen is a Democrat, and in religious faith he is a member of the Presbyterian church.
REV. JOHN B. CREEDEN.
Rev. John B. Creeden, the rector of St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church, in which charge he has been for nearly ten years, was born in the city of New York, February 27, 1856, his father and mother being James and Mary Barry Creeden, who came to this country from Ireland in the year 1845.
The subject of this sketch was educated in St. Briget's school at the corner of Eighth street and Avenue B, New York, and opposite Tompkins square. After finishing his course there he went to De la Salle Academy, in Second street, New York, which was the pioneer academy of the Roman Catholic denomination and under the charge of the Christian Brothers. He completed a full course there and then entered Manhattan College and was duly graduated in the class of 1874. After spending two years enjoying a rest, he entered St. Joseph's Seminary at Troy. This was the seminary for the archdiocese until that at Dunwoodie was established a few years ago. He remained there four and a half years, and was ordained December 18, 1880.
Father Creeden's first appointment was St. Mary's church, in Pough- keepsie, where he remained eight years. At the end of that time he was appointed, in February, 1889, pastor at Warwick and Florida, two towns in
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Orange county, near Goshen, where he remained one year, when he was transferred to St. Augustine's church, in this village, in February, 1890, suc- ceeding Rev. P. W. Tandy. After being here a year or so he found it necessary to make certain repairs to the church edifice, which he had made, and decorated it inside and out, at an expense of about ten thousand dollars, making it one of the handsomest edifices on the Hudson river. Before he quit the task the church was put in perfect condition. It was found neces- sary to put in several new stained-glass windows, two of which came from the celebrated Meyers at Munich, at a cost of about sixteen hundred dollars. The putting in of new pews and floors and the repainting of the interior and exterior occupied considerable time. A steam-heating plant was also con- structed to heat the church, school and residence.
In September, 1892, he established the parochial school, which has proved a very great success. It was opened with the Sisters of Charity as teachers, with about two hundred and seventy-three pupils. It now has three hundred and twenty-five pupils, and the steady increase has made it necessary to enlarge the accommodations by building an addition to the old school building, which now contains six commodious class-rooms. This school saves the village a large sum of money yearly, since if they were not being educated by the Sisters they would have to attend the village schools, which now have about all the children they can take care of. The cost of all this teaching, etc., of three hundred and twenty-five pupils-which is considerable, estimated by what the same number cost in our public schools -- is entirely borne by the Catholics of the parish, who also cheerfully pay the taxes to support the public schools, which they do not use. Of course this comes very high to a great many of the Catholic taxpayers, all of whom are not blessed with much of this world's riches, but "where there's a will there's a way."
Since Father Creeden has been in this charge he and his assistants have baptized about eighty converts and administered the first sacraments to and prepared for confirmation about seven hundred. An average of about fifty a year have died, including infants. Father Creeden has had the hearty and cordial support of his people in everything he has undertaken, and says they have subscribed liberally for the improvements, repairs, etc. One year the church's income was twelve thousand dollars. This is a very large sum when it is considered that his flock is made up almost entirely of people in very moderate circumstances.
Father Creeden is ably assisted by Rev. William T. St. John and Rev. Thomas Smyth, the latter having been a popular curate in the church some years ago, but, being broken down in health, is stopping with Father Creeden to recuperate, and we are glad to report he is now almost his former self
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again. Only one curate is allowed the parish. The number of Catholics in the parish of St. Augustine's is about two thousand, the number of families over four hundred and the Sunday-school has over five hundred pupils. The societies connected with the church are the Holy Name, for men; the Chil- dren of Mary, for young women; the St. Aloysius Sodality, for boys; and the Sodality of the Holy Angels, for the girls; besides the League of the Sacred Heart and the Rosary Society, intended for all the parishioners.
In addition to the regular church or parish work, Father Creeden is the chaplain of the Catholics at the prison, and either he or his curate attends there every Sunday morning to celebrate mass and administer the sacraments. They also attend those of the Catholic faith who are doomed to the electric chair.
From this it will be seen that Father Creeden is a very busy man. He is a gentleman of fine scholarly attainments, and one with whom it is a pleas- ure to converse. May he long be blessed with good health and strength to continue his good work in this parish!
ELLWOOD BURDSALL.
In past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and con- quests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive business interests. This being so, the name of Burdsall should be found among the foremost in the history of Westchester county, where it has long stood as the representative of one of the largest industrial concerns in this part of the state.
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