USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 56
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On the 21st of July, 1888, Mr. Curry was united in marriage to Miss Grace Warren, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Warren, who for forty years was a prominent physician in West Boston, Massachusetts. He died at the age of eighty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Curry have been born four children, Nellie Grace, Warren Frances, Frank Howard and Ellen Margery.
In his political views Mr. Curry is a Republican. He belongs to Nepper- han Lodge, No. 736, A. F. & A. M., and to Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F., in Nova Scotia. He is a man of good address and gentlemanly bearing, which impresses all with whom he comes in contact, possesses supe- rior intelligence, genuine ability and force of character, and at all times commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he is brought in
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contact. A laudable ambition has enabled to him to attain to his present responsible position in connection with the railroad company, and the same progressive spirit and faithfulness will bring him still greater success in the future.
FRANK V. MILLARD.
Frank Vincent Millard, one of the native sons of Tarrytown, Westches- ter county, is a leading member of the bar of this section of New York. In political circles, as well, he occupies an eminent position, and in all public affairs he takes an active and prominent part. His family has long been numbered among the substantial and representative ones of New England, many of its members having become famous for statesmanship and financial ability, or, having entered the arena of professional life, made names for themselves and posterity.
The parents of the subject of this review were James Slade and Eliza- beth A. (Purdy) Millard, who were of English and French extraction. The father, a gentleman of exceptionally fine mental powers, was a graduate of Yale College and of Columbia College, in the law department. For years he was one of the valued members of the Tarrytown bar, and held numerous important trusts in this locality. His busy and useful career was brought to a close by death in the month of December, 1890.
The birth of Frank Vincent Millard took place in Tarrytown, February 27, 1867, and here he passed his boyhood, receiving good educational advan- tages in our excellent public schools. He was the eldest son in his parents' family, and from his early years it was his ambition that he might be per- mitted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a partner with him in law. He prepared for college at Irving Institute, in this county, and, having matriculated in due course of time at Yale University, he was graduated in its classic halls in 1888. Then for a year and a half he read and studied law in his father's office, and, after attending the Columbia Law School for a period, was admitted to the bar, in Brooklyn, in February, 1890. He at once established himself in practice in his home city, his office being with his honored father, whose death, about eight months later, left the entire busi- ness in his hands. He has been very successful in the practice of his chosen profession, and, although he makes a specialty of real-estate and surrogate's work, he has given his attention to nearly every phase of general jurispru- dence. Since March, 1895, he has been corporation counsel for Tarrytown, and is counsel for Greenburg also, and counsel for the highway commis- sioners and assessors of Greenburg and Mount Pleasant, for the superin- tendent of the poor of this county, and, for three years prior to the abolish- ment of the office, held a position as legal adviser to the excise board of 62
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Greenburg. Succeeding his father, he became counsel for the Westchester County Savings Bank, and has acted in a similar capacity for the Greenburg Savings Bank for some time. Recently he was appointed corporation coun- sel for the village of Hastings; was elected town clerk of Greenburg in 1889, and again in 1890, and in 1891 was elected supervisor. Always devoted to the welfare of the Republican party since he became a voter, he is chairman of the committee of the same in his congressional district, and was selected as a delegate to the national convention of his party, at St. Louis, in 1896. That fall (in October) he was elected chairman of the Republican county committee of Westchester county, to succeed Hon. William H. Robertson, who had officiated in that responsible position for twenty-one years. The cause of education finds in Mr. Millard an earnest friend, and while he has been on the school board he has used his influence in the direction of secur- ing better advantages for the rising generation. For years foreman of one of the best volunteer fire companies in this state, he has also been a director of the Exempt Firemen's Association for several years. Thirty years ago the well known literary organization, the Young Men's Lyceum, was founded here, and it has ever since been one of the beneficial clubs of the city. Much of its success of late years is justly attributed to the fact that Mr. Millard has been acting as president of the society, giving to the work the results of his ripe experience and judicious guidance.
The marriage of Mr. Millard and Miss Grace Requa was celebrated at the home of the bride's father, Isaac Requa, in Tarrytown, in December, 1891. Mrs. Millard, a most charming and highly cultured lady, comes from a good old family of this region, and some of her ancestors were residents of Tarrytown prior to the war of the Revolution. The pleasant and hospitable home of our subject and wife is brightened by the presence of two children.
REV. ARTHUR H. GOODENOUGH.
The present pastor of St. John's church, Methodist Episcopal, New Rochelle, Mr. Goodenough, is a native of England, born in Devonshire, Feb- ruary 5, 1851, a son of Joseph aud Penelope (Allen) Goodenough, natives also of Albion's Isle. He received his education at a private school at Clo- villy and Shelbar, the latter now being known as North Devon College, at which he graduated in 1872. Immediately after his graduation he was ordained to the ministry at Baxter, England, and in 1879 he emigrated to America and was soon admitted as a member of the East New York confer- ence at Trinity church, and was appointed pastor at Nicholas, Connecticut. From Nicholas he was called to Astoria, then Long Island City, and thence to New Haven, Connecticut, Brooklyn, N. Y., and New Rochelle in 1895,
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where he has since remained, in charge of St. John's church, and here he has a large and growing congregation. The house of worship is one of the finest in the town, costing about sixty thousand dollars, with a seating capac- ity for twelve hundred persons. It is known as the " greenstone church" on account of the greenish hue of the outside material of which it is built. The Sunday-school has a large attendance, superintended by Wesley Harmer.
Mr. Goodenough was married in 1878 to Miss Ellen Taylor, of Illinois, and they had four daughters and one son, namely: Arthur Trumbull, Lillie P., Flora S., Marjorie A. and Mavis Clare.
JOHN H. CORDES.
John H. Cordes, who is now serving his third term as assessor of Mount Vernon, was born in New York city, June 30, 1861, a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Faatz) Cordes. Arriving at the designated age, he pursued his studies in the public schools, where he remained until 1871. The family then removed to Mount Vernon and he continued his education in this city, being graduated in the high school at the age of sixteen. Immediately after- ward he entered upon his business career and for seven years devoted his energies to floriculture, after which he turned his attention to carpentering. He followed that trade in the employ of others for some time and then began contracting and building on his own account. His patronage steadily increased and the excellence of the workmanship executed under his direc- tion, combined with his fidelity to the terms of a contract, brought him a large and profitable business. He employed thirty-five men during the busy season and erected many of the fine residences in the city which now stand as monuments to his skill and enterprise. While thus engaged he had excel- lent opportunity to become acquainted with land values and to learn of realty that was upon the market. He therefore began real-estate speculation, and his judicious investments have added not a little to his income. He is a member of the Co-operative Building Board, of New York city, and in his business methods displays a steadfast purpose, a sagacity and ambition that are alike commendable and productive of excellent results.
On the 4th of October, 1887, Mr. Cordes was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. O'Malley, and to them have been born five children: Amy, John H., Walter Columbus, Arthur and Agnes. Mr. Cordes' mother also made her home with them for some years prior to her death, which occurred in 1891.
In his political affiliations our subject has always been a stanch Demo- crat, and in 1892 was elected assessor of Mount Vernon, receiving one of the
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largest majorities given any candidate on the ticket, - about one hundred and seventy-five. That term continued for two years, and in 1894 he was again elected, being the first assessor under the new city organization. This time he ran ahead of his ticket, receiving a majority of three hundred and thirty-two. For the third term he was elected in 1897, again receiving a majority of more than three hundred. This fact stands in evidence of his faithful service and of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow towns- men. He discharges his duties without fear or favor and has thus won the commendation of the public.
At all times Mr. Cordes is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, doing what he can to advance the welfare of Mount Vernon. For fourteen years he was a member of the fire department. He belonged to Washington En- gine Company, No. 1, was for four years its foreman and for three years its president. He is now a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association, and the Firemen's Benevolent Association, and from the organization of the latter has served as its secretary. He is also a charter member of Alexander En- campment, No. 76, St. John of Malta, belongs to the Mount Vernon Turn Verein and the Mount Vernon Quartet Club. He is a popular member of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 195, I. O. O. F., and has twice filled all of the chairs. He is also connected with Guiding Star Encampment, No. 83, I. O. O. F., is a charter member of Aquanock Tribe, No. 369, I. O. R. M., and the Haymakers, connected with the Red Men. In these various organ- izations he takes an active interest and is highly esteemed by the members of the fraternities.
THOMAS O'HERN.
It has been stated that the man who each week pays a hundred employes does more for his country than the commander who leads an armed force forth to battle. While circumstances sometimes make the latter necessary, and too much praise cannot be given to the soldier who battles for his prin- ciples and his country, yet the man who promotes the industrial and com- mercial interests of the country is no less deserving of the gratitude of his fellow men. "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war," and each day demonstrates the truth and wisdom of this statement. The utili- zation of animate and inanimate forces, the control of large capital and the management of many men, -all these require a marked generalship. In the conduct of his extensive business interests Mr. O'Hern displays such quali- ties, and has thus risen to a position of eminence in the industrial world.
He is a son of Thomas O'Hern and was born in Utica, New York, August 15, 1856. He attended the public schools of that city until twelve years of age, and afterward remained at home with his father for several
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years. He then became employed on the construction of the New York, Oswego & Midland Railroad, and later on the Welland Canal, between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. He was thus engaged until 1879, when he went to the west, locating at Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, when eighteen years of age. He then began taking contracts on his own account, first in getting out tim- ber. Subsequently he began railroad contracting upon the construction of the Yellowstone division of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which he completed in 1882, during that time employing one hundred and fifty men. He left there in June, 1883, and in partnership with Michael Logan went to Port Arthur, on the north shore of Lake Superior, to execute a contract on the construction of a section of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. This was one of the most difficult and important sections of the road, and, added to the peculiarly arduous work, they had to endure many hardships from lack of supplies, tools and other facilities for railroad building, and also for want of food for the men and for the horses. They did this work for the govern- ment and continued the same until 1886, when, having suffered considerable annoyance in getting their money from the Canadian Pacific, they gave up government work.
Mr. O'Hern then severed his business relations with Mr. Logan and came to Yonkers, New York. Soon afterward he entered into partnership with J. B. Pennell and Jules Breuchaud, two well known contractors promi- nent throughout the east. In this new relation they took a contract for the construction of section 8 of the Croton aqueduct, a section beginning at Yonkers and extending about three miles north of the city. In 1895 Mr. Breuchaud withdrew from the firm, which has since conducted business under the style of Pennell & O'Hern. They control the largest contracting business of all firms in Westchester county. They have constructed large sections of the sea wall on Gunner's island, executed four contracts under the New York Aqueduct Commission and built the Catskill Mountain sec- tion of the Elevated Railroad. They took the contract for making a large section of the Harlem depression, were the contractors having in charge the Kinzer cut-off on the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, took a one-hundred-thousand-dollar contract for street macadamizing at Avon-by-the-Sea, and built the Warburton avenue extension at Yonkers.
In 1898, Mr. O'Hern was personally concerned in the construction of thirty-five hundred feet of the Lake avenue sewer, of Yonkers, at a depth of from sixteen to thirty-one feet. He received for this thirty-five thousand dollars, and employed about four hundred workmen. The firm of Pennell & O'Hern is the most thoroughly equipped of all firms in this part of the coun- try for the successful prosecution of their labors. These partners own their own hoisting engines, steam rollers, steam shovels, locomotives, cars, a com-
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plete plant of modern excavating machinery and from sixty to seventy horses. They have surpassed all other firms in the amount and importance of street paving and execution of public contracts in Yonkers. Among other con- tracts which they have had in Yonkers was the paving of Main street with blocks; the macadamizing of the Sawmill River Railroad and Tuckahoe Road, of North Broadway to Hastings, Brodwick's Speedway, the extension of Park Hill avenue and Valentine's lane, besides considerable work for the New York Central Road. Mr. O'Hern is also individually interested in a one-hundred-and-twenty-thousand-dollar contract from Springtown drive to Broadway, about a mile and a quarter. In connection with Mr. Pennell he engaged in the manufacture of dynamite in Yonkers and later in Kingston, New York. Their business has assumed mammoth proportions and has brought them deserved prominence and success.
On the 5th of October, 1887, Mr. O'Hern was united in marriage to Miss Mary J., daughter of John Gibbons, of Irvington on the Hudson. They have seven children. Their residence is the finest on South Broadway. It was recently erected by Mr. O'Hern and is a most imposing edifice, con- structed of brick, with stone trimmings, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Yonkers fire department, the Protection Engine Company, and of St. Mary's Catholic church. Viewed in the light of his success, the business career of Mr. O'Hern seems most marvelous, yet his prosperity is but the natural sequence of common causes. Systematical and methodical in business, quick to note and take advantage of favorable business openings, energetic and progressive and possessed of sound judg- ment and rare discrimination, he stands to-day at the head of extensive and important industrial interests, and is a recognized leader in his line.
THEARON B. DEAN.
Thearon B. Dean, a prominent representative of the business interests of Somers township, has spent his entire life here, his birth having occurred June 19, 1853. He is descended from one of the old and honored families of southeastern New York, his great-grandfather having settled near Carmel, Putnam county, at the time that he came to America from England. Nathaniel Dean, the father of our subject, and son of David Dean, was born in the county mentioned, in 1802, being one of ten children, who were named, respectively, Silas, Charles, Elijah, David, George, Maria, Matilda, Julia, Cynthia and Betsey. Most of these became the heads of families, and their descendants are widely scattered. Six of the cousins of our subject were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion.
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Nathaniel Dean spent his boyhood and youth near the town of Carmel, and, as he began earning his own livelihood when he was quite young, his educational privileges were quite limited. At length he took up the study of medicine, with Doctor Barnum as his preceptor, who was a botanic physi- cian, having intimate knowledge of the curative properties of herbs. Then, until 1868 or 1869, he successfully engaged in the practice of the healing art, acquiring much more than local fame, as patients came to him from far and near, even from the neighboring counties of Columbia and Dutchess. Nor was his fame limited to the regular line of family practice, for he became an adept at surgical work, and was especially expert in dealing with fractures. About 1830 he removed to Westchester county, where he made his home until summoned to the silent land, in 1876. He was very successful as a financier; was one of the founders and stockholders of the Bank of Kent and held stock in the Farmers & Drovers Bank of Somersville. He was a man of high moral character, was a great reader and a deep thinker, and was thoroughly worthy of the high regard in which he was uniformly held.
The wife of Dr. Nathaniel Dean was Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Moses and Martha (Powell) Havaland, and sister of William and Jane. The Hava- lands were of French descent and were prominently identified with the Society of Friends, several of the number being ministers. Moses Havaland was a carpenter by trade, as were his brothers also, but in his later years he followed farming. His daughter, Jane, married a Mr. Dean, a relative of Doctor Dean. To the marriage of Doctor Dean and wife three children were born, namely: Moses H., a stock dealer and farmer of Peekskill, New York; Augustus N., a farmer living near Peekskill; and Thearon B.
Reared upon a farm, Thearon B. Dean obtained his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood and later attended the Chappaqua Mountain Institute. When he was in his nineteenth year he began farming on the homestead which he still occupies, and for eight or ten years he gave his whole attention to general agricultural pursuits. In connection with his farming operations he then engaged in the wholesale feed and coal business, shipping by car-load lots throughout the eastern states. He still does an extensive business in this line, having an office in the Produce Exchange building, and is recognized as one of the most progressive, enterprising and energetic business men of the county. His farm, comprising one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable land, is chiefly devoted to dairying, though considerable live-stock also is handled by him. For five or six years he was engaged in the grain elevator business at Port Richmond, but sold his inter- ests there. He is a man of sound judgment, sagacious and far-sighted, and the success which he has achieved is certainly well deserved.
On the 4th of December, 1878, Mr. Dean was united in marriage with
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Miss Annie E. Purdy, and they are numbered among the most highly respected citizens of this county. In his political views Mr. Dean is a stanch Republican.
ALBERT W. MOTT.
The name Mott is of Knickerbocker Dutch origin and is a very old one in this country, traceable back to Jefferson and Herkimer counties, New York. John Mott, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Jefferson county, a farmer owning a considerable amount of land. He was a Democrat in politics and served as postmaster. He was a mem- ber of the Universalist church. Our subject's paternal grandfather, also a native of Jefferson county, was a shoemaker by trade and during the latter part of his life resided at Gloversville, New York, where he was a boot and shoe merchant. He also was a Democrat and a member of the Universalist church. He died at the age of sixty-five or sixty-six years. His children were seven in number, as follows: John, Thomas, Silas, George Washing- ton, Nancy, Lucy and Mary.
George Washington Mott, the father of Albert W., was a native of Jef- ferson county, New York, born December 13, 1832, attended school to the age of eleven years, and from the age of twenty to fifty-five was a seafaring man, who during his service on the sea was captain of sailing vessels of all classes and traveled widely throughout the world. After retiring to his native land he followed painting for two years; then went to Seattle, Washington, where he engaged in the lumber trade, and finally died, May 7, 1895. In his politics he was an enthusiastic Democrat, and in religion a prominent Universalist. He married Catharine Glover and had two children: Esther A., wife of J. E. Tibbits, a contractor at Mount Vernon, and Albert W.
The last mentioned, the subject of this sketch, was born in the village of Kirksville, Onondaga county, New York, November 28, 1863, and attended the public schools of Syracuse, this state, until his mother died, when he went to New York city, where he was employed as an errand boy by R. F. Tyson & Company, stock-brokers, at three dollars per week. He remained with that firm for six years and a half, being finally promoted to the position of loan clerk at a salary of twenty-five dollars a week; and he also frequently operated on the floor of the Stock Exchange in the interests of his company. Subsequently he became second teller in the Garfield Bank in New York city, at a reduced salary; but not being contented with this position, he took up carpentering, with the view of engaging in the business of contracting and building as soon as he had mastered the trade. After serving two years in New York city he came to Mount Vernon and undertook the business to which his ambition had led him, erecting thirteen houses on
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Terrace avenue the first year, the contracts amounting to seventy thousand dollars. At that time he was the youngest man in the business, but he did more work than any other man. Altogether, he has erected about one hun- dred and eighty houses in this place. Some of the buildings he has put up on his own account, on lots of his own, for speculation. He is now con- sidered one of the oldest contractors in the place, and he is still prepared to erect all kinds of structures and also to put down street paving, etc. He has now on hand contracts amounting to forty thousand dollars.
He is a member of the Co-operative Building & Loan Association, and was formerly a member of the Home Building & Loan Association. Fra- ternally he is a member of Hiawatha Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, and of the O. D. O. Mr. Mott is one of the leading builders of the city of his choice, is enterprising and progressive, and is a competent, safe business manager, affable in manner and companionable in disposition.
On the 12th of October, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. B., daughter of Theodore Kohlmann, a lithographer of New York city, and they have two children,-Albert G. and Elmer Theodore.
WILLIAM RYAN.
The influence of such a career as that of Mr. Ryan on the business and political life of a community cannot be estimated. A man of great force of character and unquestioned integrity, his honorable record has commanded the confidence of all and left its impress for good on the commercial and leg- islative interests with which he has been connected. If those who claim that fortune has favored certain individuals above others will but investigate the cause of success and failure, it will be found that the former is largely due to the improvement of opportunity, the latter to the neglect of it. Fortunate environments compass nearly every man at some stage of his career, but the strong man and the successful man is he who realizes that the proper moment has come, that the present and not the future holds his opportunity. The man who inakes use of the Now and not the To Be is the one who passes on the highway of life others who started out ahead of him and reaches the goal of prosperity far in advance of them. It is this quality in Mr. Ryan that has made him a leader in the business world and also gained him prom- inence in connection with the legislative interests of state and nation.
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