USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 55
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Ellwood Burdsall was the senior member of the well known firm of Rus- sell, Burdsall & Ward, bolt manufacturers of Port Chester; and his connec- tion with the establishment of American manufacturers on the markets of the world, the development of an important industry, his wide acquaintance in the trade and his personal worth gave him a position of exceptional promin- ence in business circles. His reputation was unassailable and he commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact.
A native of New Jersey, he was born in New Brunswick on the 18th of July, 1814. His ancestors were among the early English settlers of this country, and on his father's side they were members of the Society of Friends, while on his mother's side they were of the Presbyterian faith. His maternal grandfather served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war and participated in the ever memorable battles of Trenton and Monmouth.
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After receiving a common-school education, such as was afforded in the neighborhood in which he lived, Ellwood Burdsall, whose father had died in 1823, when he was but nine years of age, left his native state and went to Philadelphia, where he began learning the carpenter's trade. This was in 1829, and he was a youth of fifteen years. In 1835 he went to Appalachi- cola, Florida, where he erected a number of residences and warehouses and made his home for some time. In 1837 he was elected a member of the city council of that place. Shortly afterward the yellow fever broke out and prevailed for some time with unusual fatality. Many of the inhabitants became panic-stricken and fled from the city, among the fugitives being all the members of the city government with the exception of Mr. Boot, city treasurer, and Mr. Burdsall. The latter organized a hospital outside the town, and with the aid of other courageous men gathered the sick together and placed them in wards, where he attended them more or less frequently every day. For nearly two months the fever continued to rage, little busi- ness being transacted during the time, and the dead were buried without funeral services. Mr. Burdsall certainly displayed great bravery and forti- tude in his noble work, but providence seemed to watch over him and he was spared.
Leaving Florida in 1844, he came to New York and in partnership with William E. Ward founded the bolt-manufacturing business at Port Chester. The original name of the firm was Burdsall & Ward, which was changed to Russell, Burdsall & Ward by the addition of Isaac D. Russell to the firm, and under that style operations have been carried on extensively and success- fully since 1845. There has never been a strike in the shops nor the mani- festation of any discontent among the employes, a fact which indicates fair treatment on the part of the proprietors, the payment of good living wages, and courteous consideration from all. A library and hall were built and equipped by the company for the benefit of the employes, and a guild was formed in the shop by which a benefit was paid to the families of deceased employes.
Other business interests also prospered and grew under the capable man- agement and direction of Ellwood Burdsall. At the organization of the First National Bank, of Port Chester, he was elected president and was re-elected annually, serving in that position up to the time of his death. Owing to his wise, conservative methods the bank attained an enviable position in finan- cial circles and to his efforts is attributable much of its success. It was also through his instrumentality that the new bank building was erected. He took a deep interest in education, social and moral interests and movements tend- ing to the betterment of mankind, and his labors largely promoted their wel- fare. In 1863 he was elected a manager of Swarthmore College, located
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near Philadelphia, an institution under the care of the Society of Friends, and filled the office ten years, when he resigned. He was also the manager of the Chappaqua Mountain Institute, near Chappaqua, Westchester county, belonging to the Society of Friends, and served in that position from 1867 until his death. He was likewise connected with a number of other enter- prises, some of which were in the neighborhood of his home; others located elsewhere. His influence was widely felt in social and business circles throughout the county, and especially among the Friends, of which religious organization he was a prominent member. He accumulated a handsome property, and his charities were many and unostentatious. The esteem in which he was held by his employes and the people of Port Chester and sur- rounding towns is evidenced in the many affectionate tributes which have been paid to his memory. He died December 30, 1889, honored and respected by all who knew him. Thus passed to his reward a man of noble character, one who acted well his part in life, and who gained and retained the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow men.
In 1851, Ellwood Burdsall was united in marriage to Miss Hannah G. Haviland, a daughter of John Haviland, a member of one of the oldest fam- ilies of the town of Harrison, Westchester county. She, too, was a faithful member of the Society of Friends. In the family were three children: Rich- ard H. and Ellwood, twins; and Anna C., now the wife of John D. Griffin, of New York. The sons seem to have inherited their father's business ability and are now prominent and influential citizens of Port Chester.
Richard H. and Ellwood Burdsall were born in the town of Harrison, September 20, 1856, and having attended the public schools continued their education in Swarthmore College at Philadelphia. Later they entered Cor- nell University, taking a thorough course in mechanics as well as in other branches. They then entered the extensive works of the firm of Russell, Burdsall & Ward. Richard H. is now treasurer of the bolt and nut works, which is one of the largest industries of the kind in the United States. He also succeeded his father in the presidency of the First National Bank, at Port Chester, and is equally prominent in social circles, being very popular among his many friends and acquaintances. His twin brother, Ellwood Burdsall, at their father's death, succeeded him as secretary and general agent of the firm of Russell, Burdsall & Ward, and now devotes the greater part of his time to the construction of machinery. He is also president of the Cambridge Manufacturing Company, at Cambridge, Maryland, and has marked mechanical ability, while his management in business affairs and his ability and integrity are all in conspicuous evidence. He is a director of the First National Bank at Port Chester and trustee of the Savings Bank there.
Ellwood Burdsall was united in marriage to Miss Luella T. Morris, of
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Milton, Indiana, and they have two children, -Richard Lloyd and E. Morris. In manner he is quiet and reserved, but his sterling worth has won the recog- nition of many friends. He is deeply interested in the cause of education and has been officially connected with several educational institutions, whose interests have been promoted through his efforts in their behalf. The broth- ers are both public-spirited, progressive citizens, giving a commendable and practical support to all the measures tending toward the betterment of man- kind and the promotion of the material interests of the community in which they reside. Succeeding to their father's business, they have manifested superior executive force, keen discrimination, marked energy and sound judgment in the management of the mammoth interests now under their con- trol and bear an unassailable reputation in industrial and financial circles.
HENRY A. SIEBRECHT, JR.
Henry A. Siebrecht, Jr., one of the most enterprising and progressive business men of Westchester county, is the junior member of the well-known firm of Siebrecht & Son, florists and floral decorators, whose main office is on Fifth avenue, New York city. They also have a branch office at Newport, Rhode Island, while their home nurseries, known as the Rose Hill Nurseries, are located at New Rochelle, Westchester county, New York, and their nurseries are at Trinidad, West Indies. The present business was established by the father, Henry A. Siebrecht, Sr., in 1867, and conducted by him until 1887, when the son was admitted to a partnership, under the firm name of Siebrecht & Son. Their local nurseries are situated about a mile and a half from the village of New Rochelle, on the old post road leading to White Plains, and with the farm they cover an area of about two hundred and fifty acres. There are twenty-eight houses of palms, one of these, which is twenty by two hundred and forty feet, being filled with the Kentia Belmorana, show- ing the largest stock of this palm in the United States. Among the roses they have developed is the Belle Siebrecht, which has become very popular, they having sold over two hundred and thirty thousand plants since it has been put upon the market. They also have the largest variety of ferns, flowers and plants in the United States and ship to all parts of the world, doing a large export business. Many orders are received by telegraph and all receive prompt attention.
Henry A. Siebrecht, Jr., who is one of the most thoroughly versed men of America in the care and culture of flowers and plants, was born in New York city, November 26, 1870, and is the oldest son of Henry A. and Emma (Ried) Siebrecht. The father, a native of Gottingen, Germany, came to the United States at the age of sixteen years, having previously received a good
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education in his native land. After his arrival in New York, he was employed by different parties until 1867, when he started his nurseries, and he has since been most actively engaged in his present business, with an office in New York, from which the greater part of the business is done. In his line he is per- haps more widely known than any man similarly engaged in the United States. On the farm during the busy season employment is furnished to from fifty to. seventy-five men. The facilities for heating by steam are of the latest and most improved; the new power house and machine shop is constructed of stone, and supplied with three large boilers, the pipes running through a six- foot tunnel to the various houses. There is also a water tower and every convenience for conducting the business on the most approved methods.
Henry A. Siebrecht, Jr., married Miss Julia Acker Thompson, a grand- daughter of the late William Acker, of the firm of Acker, Merrell & Condit, of New York city, and to them has been born a daughter, Gertrude M. L.
Socially Mr. Siebrecht is a member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., and Mt. Vernon Chapter, No. 228, R. A. M., while religiously he is. a member of St. John's Methodist Episcopal church, to which his parents. also belong. In business circles father and son stand deservedly high, and. those who know them personally have for them the highest regard.
OSWALD SANDERSON.
For the past eighteen years the gentleman whose name heads this sketch has been a resident of the beautiful town of Larchmont, formerly called Larchmont Manor. Favored by nature beyond most of the picturesque- places adjacent to Long Island Sound, it has been wonderfully improved within the past decade, and its well laid out streets and avenues, fine drive- ways and mansions make this one of the most desirable of sites for a home. Mr. Sanderson has been one of the most influential factors in bringing this- result to pass, and his faith in the future of the town was manifested in 1880, when he erected a modern residence here for his own little household. From that time on he did all within his power to promote the welfare of Larch- mont, nor has he ceased in his patriotic interest in whatsoever tends to bene- fit the place or its citizens.
Mr. Sanderson is in the prime of early manhood, his birth having occurred in London, England, in 1863. The parents of Mr. Sanderson were Richard and Sarah (Hicks) Sanderson, both of whom were natives of Eng- land and spent their entire lives in that country. Our subject received his education in his native land, chiefly in private schools, and was a bright, keen student, standing at the head of his classes. In 1880 he came to the United States, and, soon after his arrival in New York city, was employed.
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by the Continental Insurance Company. He next became connected with steamship lines and gradually advanced in the business until he is now the manager of several ocean transportation companies. He has an office in New York city and makes the trip from his home to the metropolis twice a day. Possessing unusual business ability, thorough knowledge of his line, and that courtesy and desire to accommodate and please his patrons so essen tial to success, he has won the esteem of all with whom he has had dealings, and has brought credit upon the various large concerns which he ably rep- resents.
For his wife the subject of this article chose Miss Beatrice Biddall, then of New York city, and a daughter of E. F. Biddall, now a prominent citizen of Larchmont. Two sons and a daughter have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson and brighten the attractive home of the family by their pres- ence. Mr. Sanderson and his estimable wife are members of Saint John's Episcopal church of Larchmont, and they are always foremost in all chari- table enterprises in the neighborhood.
JOHN J. CLAPP.
John Jacob Clapp, one of the leading attorneys of his day, in West- chester county, and the father of John H. Clapp, was born in October, 1818, and died at the age of forty-seven years. He was a graduate of Rochester University and studied law under Warren Tompkins. He built for himself a very large law practice and was thoroughly known in all parts of this county, as well as many of the adjoining ones. Though he was cut down while yet in manhood's prime, he had become a leader in his chosen profession, He was known far and wide, for his persistency, always fighting a case to the finish, regardless of the pay there might be in it. Law for him had a principle and for this he ever contended. Politically, he was a Jacksonian Democrat originally, but upon the formation of the Republican party in 1856, he voted for Fremont and had the honor of being a delegate to the Fremont and Lincoln conventions. He was also frequently a delegate in the state conventions. He was a hard worker, possessing strong personal traits, and was universally esteemed. The most of his time was employed in his profession, but he served White Plains as its supervisor for one term.
He was ever true to his clients and was a man of upright character. Of his religious life, it may be said that he was an elder in the old Broadway Presbyterian church, of White Plains. Besides his large criminal practice and general law business, he did much in a public way to build up his county and was always active in political matters. John Clapp, the founder of the Clapp family in America, was a Hessian officer, who came to America during the
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Revolutionary war. Deciding to become a citizen of the New World, he purchased a large, farm on Staten Island, making that his home until he. died. In connection with his farm operations, he also conducted a country store, and while in New York city purchasing goods he contracted yellow fever and died about 1800.
Regarding the domestic relations of John Jacob Clapp, it may be added that he was born in Osling township, Westchester county. His boyhood days were spent at home, his early schooling being acquired in Dr. Prime's private school. He married Miss Maria Caroline Banta, who was born in William street, New York city, August 30, 1819, and died in November, 1896. Their children were John H. and Oscar, of whom this work speaks. at length in the next sketch.
JOHN H. CLAPP.
John H. Clapp, a prominent representative of the legal fraternity, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Port Chester, New York, for many years, is a native of Westchester county, born. in White Plains, September 6, 1847, and is of an old and highly honored family, whose founder in America was John Clapp, a sketch of whom appears above. Our subject's grandfather was John Clapp, who was prob- ably born on Staten Island, but at an early day came to Westchester county, locating at Sing Sing, where he engaged in business as a shoemaker. He- died there in 1867, after having passed the ripe old age of eighty years.
John H. Clapp, of whom we now write, began his education at White Plains, and later attended Roe's school at Tarrytown, this county, and Union. College, of Schenectady, New York. Deciding to enter the legal profession, he commenced the study of law under the direction of Judge J. O. Dykman, of White Plains, and was admitted to the bar at Poughkeepsie, soon after attaining his majority. He began practice with Judge Dykman, and later formed a partnership with Amherst Wight, having an office in Port Chester and also in New York city. This partnership continued until after the death of Mr. Wight, in 1877. Soon afterward Mr. Clapp associated himself as a partner with Charles H. Ropes, and after a successful practice with that gen- tleman he was connected for some time with Jarvis W. Mason. Since 1880 he has had an office in New York city, and in connection with a lucrative law business is also engaged in the real-estate business, owning considerable property in Port Chester. He is numbered among the most successful and prominent members of the Westchester county bar and enjoys a liberal prac- tice. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, but aside from voting he takes no active part in politics, preferring to give his entire time
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and attention to his large business interests. Working faithfully for his clients, he has advanced his own interests, but be it said to his credit, whether beneficial to himself or not, no trust imposed in him is ever in the least slighted.
Without the least flattery, in justice to this member of the West- chester county bar, it should be recorded that notwithstanding the fast age in which we live, and the great volume of legal and private business which he personally attends to, there is never a time when he forgets to be a con- siderate and courteous gentleman, and the most humble in life receives the same at his hands as those in higher and more exalted positions. Indeed, he is an honor to the profession and one truly fit to serve as an example to any young man desiring to achieve an enviable reputation in the city and state in which he expects to live and labor and be honored among his fellowmen.
FRANK A. CURRY.
The subject of this review occupies the responsible position of passenger and freight agent for the New York Central Railroad Company, at Yonkers. It is not difficult to conjecture what manner of a man he is. In a repub- lican country where merit must win, we can tell much of his life. Wealth may secure a start, but it cannot maintain one in a position where brains and executive ability are required. But Mr. Curry did not have wealth to aid him in the beginning of his business career. His reliance has been placed in the more substantial qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, resolute purpose and commendable zeal, and withal his actions have been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned.
Frank A. Curry is a son of John M. and Jane M. (Treadwell) Curry, and was born in New Brunswick, Canada, April 31, 1865. The family name is of Scotch origin. A relative has prepared the following ancestral history of the Currys, which in this connection cannot fail to prove of interest. "About the year 1720, there came from England a nobleman, who settled in New York, and with him an orphaned boy whose name was John Curry. When he became a man he wooed and married the nobleman's daughter. The young couple went up the beautiful Hudson river, settling in Peekskill, one of the famous Highland of the Hudson, about forty miles above New York. As time went on the fertile soil yielded him abundant increase, and he became a wealthy colonial farmer. Three sons were born to him and his wife, one of whom was named Joshua. When Joshua grew to years of under- standing he married, the object of his affections being Miss Travis, the daughter of one of the good old families. War broke out between the colo- nies and the mother country, and Joshua Curry, ever loyal to the land of his
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ancestors, boldly took up arms for the British. His neighbors were on the side of independence, and he had to flee from home under cover of night. Three hundred miles lay between him and the nearest British camp; however, he reached there in safety, and enlisted as a soldier. Ere long he was promoted to the office of lieutenant. His family supposed he was dead as they did not hear from him till the war was over. In the fall of 1783, rather than be dis- loyal to England, he, with his family, left his beautiful home and went to New Brunswick, landing at the mouth of the St. John river, in November. They spent the winter there, and in the spring went up the river and pur- chased land in the parishes of Gagetown and Canning.
From another writer we quote the following paragraphs:
" Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Curry were the parents of five sons and one daugh- ter. One of these, David, who was sixteen years of age at the time .of their arrival in New Brunswick, married Dorothy, a daughter of Zebulon Estey. The ancestors of the Esteys emigrated from England with the Puritans in the Mayflower in 1620. About the year 1760, before the landing of the Loyalists, a settlement was made at Majorville by a company of New Eng- landers. My informant is not certain as to whether Zebulon Estey was among those settlers, or whether he came five or six years later. He was one of the few magistrates of New Brunswick at that time. He got this appointment in an interesting way. The story is that he had built a mill on a brook near Gagetown, when some one tried to wrest it from him on the grounds that he had no claim to the land on which the mill stood. At that time New Brunswick was not a separate province, but was a part of Nova Scotia. Acordingly Estey had to go to Halifax to gain redress. The gov- ernor kindly listened to his greviance and not only gave him a title to the land for which he asked, but added much more to it. He inquired of Estey if there were no magistrates on the St. John river. On being answered in the negative he then and there appointed him a justice of the peace.
" David and Dorothy took up their abode in Canning, and God pros- pered them exceedingly. They owned nearly two thousand acres of land on both sides of the river. There were born to them ten sons and two daughters. The fifth son, whose name was John, and who was born in 1788, married Anna Upton and had nine children. He carried on a large tanning business and was quite wealthy. He died in 1876. His brother George is the only surviving member of the family (1897) and he has lived to see seven genera- tions, both ancestors and descendants. One of the nine children, whose name was John, married Jane Treadwell, and had three daughters and three sons, Bertha, Lillian, Nettie, Henry, Arthur and Frank."
The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Curry, was an extensive lumber merchant and tanner, at Gagetown, Canada, where he resided until
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his death, which occurred in 1883, when he had reached the age of eighty- two years. His wife died in 1888, at the age of eighty-six years. Their children were John, Albert, David, Charles, Henrietta, Barbara and Ann, all of whom lived in Canada. John M. Curry, father of our subject, was born in Canning, New Brunswick, in 1833, was a man of spendid intellectual endowments, was highly educationed and for twenty-one years was a minister in the Baptist church. He served as pastor of the churches in Gagetown, Frederickstown and Hillsboro, New Brunswick, and died in the last named place in 1883, at the age of fifty years. His wife passed away, in 1879, at the age of forty years. Her father, George Treadwell, was a prominent farmer of Majorville, New Brunswick, and possessed considerable property. He died when about eighty-five years of age. He had three children,- George, Melissa and one who died in infancy.
In the public schools of Hammond and Hillsboro, New Brunswick, Frank A. Curry pursued his studies until fifteen years of age, when he began clerk- ing in a grocery store. He afterward learned telegraphy, which he followed for six years, spending a part of that time in Boston, Massachusetts, and at points along the line of the Boston & Maine Railroad, acting as telegraph operator and station agent. In 1891 he came to Yonkers as passenger agent for the New York Central Railroad, in which capacity he served until 1893, when the passenger and freight agencies were combined and he was given charge of both. This is the most important station between New York and Albany. In the two departments are nineteen men under his immediate supervision, and the large volume of business there transacted is under his care. The company's criticism of his conduct of the office has ever been most favorable, and he certainly deserves their highest approbation and approval. He has made many important changes and improvements in the manner of handling the immense business of the company at this point, thereby avoiding much friction and guaranteeing much more satisfactory service to the company as well as to the patrons of the road.
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