USA > New York > Westchester County > Biographical history of Westchester County, New York, Volume II > Part 7
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From 1838 to 1858 Mr. Gibson was a member of the Scottish Presby- terian church in New York city, and since coming to White Plains has been identified with the First Presbyterian church of this place, to which his fam- ily also belong and in which he has served for a number of years as a trus- tee. He is the oldest trustee now serving in the First Presbyterian church at White Plains. He is also school trustee of district No. 2, having held that office since 1862, and he has also been road commissioner.
In 1838 he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Jackson, who was a companion contributing to the happiness of his life for almost forty-four years, departing from the scenes of this world May 15, 1882. He has had three sons and two daughters, namely: John, James, Jr., Mary Ann, Mar- garet and Thomas. John died March 14, 1896; James, Jr., is married and a resident of New Rochelle. The daughters are unmarried and reside with their father. Thomas is married and resides at the parental homestead.
JOHN W. TRUESDELL.
One of the leading business men and agriculturists of Westchester county is John W. Truesdell, who has been a resident here for eight years only, but who is well and favorably known throughout this section. He is the super- intendent of the noted Greene estate, which comprises some seven hundred acres of fine, arable farm land,-one of the best and most valuable home- steads in the state. With wide experience and general ability, Mr. Truesdell is just the man for the responsible position he so ably fills, and his efforts
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have materially increased the value of the property and the revenue there- from.
One of the native sons of the Empire state, the subject of this sketch was born December 3, 1854, in Wyoming county, and passed his boy- hood in that portion of New York. He is the son of E. G. and Lucy (Popple) Truesdell, respected and honored citizens of Wyoming county. After leaving the common schools J. W. Truesdell entered Warsaw Acad- emy, and there pursued the study of the higher branches of knowledge. When he attained his majority he left home and went to Orange county, New York, where for many years he was successfully occupied in farming and kindred pursuits. In 1890 he was engaged to act as manager or superintendent of the Greene property in Westchester county, and he has since devoted his energies to the cultivation and improvement of the place. He has always given much attention to the raising of fine horses, and he is now interested specially in this direction, as a ready market is to be found for good animals in the neighboring cities.
In all his views and methods Mr. Truesdell is liberal and broad-minded, being zealous in the support of all measures which accrue to the welfare of the general public, and is active in local affairs as well. In his political faith he is an earnest Republican, but he has never been an aspirant for public position, as he finds that his time is fully occupied in properly attending to his business affairs.
January 27, 1875, Mr. Truesdell married Miss Mary E. Mills, a daughter of A. J. Mills, of Orange county, New York. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Truesdell is Charlotte M., now the wife of Robert Hoyt, of Katonah, West- chester county.
OSCAR SMITH.
This prominent and representative citizen of New Castle township, West- chester county, now filling the office of assessor, was born in Yorktown town- ship on the 12th of March, 1831, and is a son of Samuel Smith, whose birth occurred August 15, 1797, on the old homestead where our subject now re- sides. The grandfather, William Smith, was a native of Holland, and mar- ried a Miss Vredenburg. They settled in this country prior to the Revolu- tionary war, and both died in York township at the ages of ninety and eighty- six years, respectively. They were most estimable people, and were identified with the Society of Friends. In their family were only two children: Samuel, and Rebecca, wife of John Brown.
Samuel Smith grew to manhood in Yorktown township, throughout life devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. He married Miss Jemimah Young, a
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daughter of James and - (Baldwin) Young, and of the ten children born of this union nine reached man and womanhood, and four are still living, namely: Eliza, wife of B. Secoy; John B., a resident of Yorktown town- ship; Oscar, our subject; and Eben, of Yorktown township. Those deceased are: Phoebe J .; Willet R .; William, and James, who died in Tompkins county, New York, and was the father of two sons-William and Eugene- who served in the Civil war.
Oscar Smith was reared on the home farm, and pursued his studies in the neighboring schools. Going to Wisconsin in 1856, he taught school there for one season, and on his return to Westchester county made his home for two years in Bedford. In 1865 he located on the old homestead of his grand- father, which is pleasantly located only a half-mile from the Millwood station, and is supplied with water from one of the best springs in the county. Here he has a nice home, and is surrounded by all that goes to make life worth the living. In his farming operations he has met with excellent success, and is to-day one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of his community.
On the 8th of June, 1861, Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah J. Sherwood, a daughter of Absalom and Harriet (Brown) Sherwood, of Bedford, in whose family were six children, three still living: Frances, wife of William Barnes; Sarah J. ; and Mary E., a music teacher of New York city. Those deceased are Charles W., George E. and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children, namely: Ella V., wife of Henry N. Merritt, of Yonkers, New York, by whom she had two children, -Maud and Clarence; George E., who mar- ried Grace Brown, and is a floor-walker in Simpson & Crawford's store of New York city; Irvin E., who is employed by the Metropolitan Traction Company in New York; and Minnie F., wife of H. E. Freeland, a railroad conductor, by whom she had three children, -Helen M., Edna May and Grace.
During his business career Mr. Smith worked for his uncle, E. S. Young, conducting a stage line in the city for a time, and also successfully followed teaching. He has ever taken an active interest in educational affairs, and for many years has efficiently served as a school trustee. He holds a member- ship in the Friends church, while his wife is a Methodist. Both are earnest, Christian people, and have the respect and esteem of the entire community in which they make their home.
JUDGE THOMAS M. PARKER.
It is with pleasure that we come now to record in this volume a refer- ence to the principal landmarks in the life of the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article, speaking first of his ancestry.
His father, Edward Parker, was born in county Dublin, Ireland, where
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he grew up and learned his trade as blacksmith. When he had attained the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to the land of greater opportunity, arriving at New York city, where he was employed at his trade as a journey- man. In 1847 he came to Port Chester and continued at his trade for ten years, when he purchased the shop now owned by his son, Judge Parker, and plied his laborious vocation here as long as he lived, his death taking place April 4, 1897, at the age of seventy-six years and six months. Politically he was a Democrat, and in public office he was village trustee two terms and for a time overseer of the poor. In religion he was a Catholic. For his wife he married Miss Ellen Mulvaney, a native of Ireland, who was brought to America when but two years of age; and she is still living, aged fifty-eight years. She also is a communicant of the Catholic church. Of her sixteen children nine are still living.
Judge Parker, of whom we more particularly write, was born May 27, 1864, in Port Chester, educated in the public and Catholic schools, and at the age of seventeen years began to learn the blacksmith's trade of his father, and he continued in that heavy work for fifteen years; and since that time he has managed the shop that his father owned.
Politically, he is an active Democrat. He has served one term as village treasurer, which office he resigned when he was appointed a justice of the peace to fill an unexpired term, and after the expiration of that period he was elected for a full term. He is a good man for the place.
In matrimony he was united with Miss Maggie Stanley, of this place, and they have two daughters, named Helen and Jane Elizabeth.
ABRAHAM A. COLES.
The family name of this gentleman has figured conspicuously on the pages of the history of the Empire state through many generations, repre- sentatives of the family taking an active part in many of the leading events which form an integral part of the annals of New York. Patriotism, honor and enterprise have ever been among their marked characteristics since the time when Robert Coles, a native of England, crossed the Atlantic to estab- lish a home in the New World. This was in 1641, and he cast his lot with the early colonists of the land which gave promise of liberty and freedom of conscience and the exercise of the independent rights of the individual. He was accompanied on his journey by his two brothers, Nathan and Daniel, and in 1677 the three secured a tract of seventeen hundred acres of land on Long Island. This included all the portion of the island known as Glen Cove, and thereon Robert Coles, who was the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, made his home. There also occurred the birth of Jesse Coles, the
Abraham A Coles.
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grandfather, whose natal day was in September, 1757. He was one of the gallant heroes of the war of the Revolution, serving all through the seven long years of that conflict. For three years he was on detached duty as a spy under the command of Washington, and being taken prisoner was incarcerated in the old "sugar-house prison," but was afterward paroled. Later he was again captured by an English boat on the Long Island sound, while carrying messages, but the papers were skillfully hidden under the lin- ing of his coat between the shoulders, and were not found; so, there being no proof against him, he was released. Had the papers been found he would have been summarily shot. The gun which he carried, and which had been given to his father by Richard Mott, is now in possession of our subject, as is the old family clock. While a prisoner in the sugar-house the life of Jesse Coles was saved by Anna Mott, a nurse, who warned him against eat- ing some food that had been poisoned. When his loved country no longer needed his services he returned to the peaceful pursuits of the farm, and on the 25th of March, 1781, was married to Deborah Carpenter.
Their son, Joseph Coles, father of our subject, was born in Greenburg township, Westchester county, December 27, 1790, and died July 2, 1872, in the house now occupied by Abraham A. Coles. During his active busi- ness career he followed agricultural pursuits and met with success in his various business undertakings. Prior to the Civil war he was a Democrat, but at that time he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party and was afterward one of the stalwart advocates of its principles. He was also a faithful member of the Reformed church, and his honorable life commanded uniform regard from his fellow men. He married Elizabeth Yerks, a daugh- ter of William Yerks. She was born in Mount Pleasant, Westchester county, February 25, 1801, and departed this life July 15, 1871.
Abraham A. Coles, whose name introduces this review, and who is now a leading citizen of Tarrytown, was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, Westchester county, October 7, 1827. He was reared in a manner usual to farmer boys of that period and locality, and pursued his education in what was then known as the " old red school-house." Between the ages of twelve and twenty years he worked industriously upon the home farm and then entered upon an independent business career. For a few years he operated a farm of his own and engaged in raising live stock to some extent, but since the fall of 1865 he has not resided on the old homestead, which is situated in Greenburg township, his home being now in Tarrytown. Disposing of his farm he came to live with his parents, who had been residents of Tarry- town for several years, caring for them until they were called from the scene of earth's activities. Mr. Coles has since continued to live in the old Tarrytown home, devoting his time and energies to the management of
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his various investments and valuable property interests. He is also one of the trustees of the Westchester County Savings Bank.
In 1873 Mr. Coles married Julia A., daughter of Daniel D. and Julia S. (Amerman) Foot, and a granddaughter of Isaac Amerman, who served as an alderman in New York city for several years and was a prominent citizen of the metropolis. Mrs. Coles is a native of that city, and by her marriage has become the mother of four sons, namely: Edward A., Fred H., Charles L. and Russell. Mr. Coles is identified with the church of his ancestors, the Reformed, while his wife is a member of the Episcopal church. Widely and favorably known in Tarrytown, the warm personal friendships which they inspire secure them the hospitality of the best homes of the place. Like his honored father, Mr. Coles gives his political support to the Repub- lican party, but he has never aspired to official distinction, preferring to devote his attention to his business interests. in the management of which he displays marked ability and executive force, combined with keen discrimi- nation.
AUGUSTUS M. HALSTED.
We are now permitted to touch briefly upon the life history of one who has retained a personal association with the business affairs of Westchester county for many years, but is now living retired at Rye, and whose ancestral line traces back to the colonial epoch in our country's history. His life has been one of honest and earnest endeavor, and due success has not been denied.
Records show that the Halsted family is of English origin, and that it was founded on American soil about 1628 by representatives of the name from Hemill-Hempstead, England. They settled in or near Boston, and the family name appears in the log of the Mayflower. Subsequently they removed to Providence Plantation, now Providence, Rhode Island, and at a later date one of the family went to Long Island and, in connection with other early colonists, founded the town of Hempstead. For several generations the Halsted family has been connected with the history of Westchester county. The parents of Ezekiel Halsted, the great-grandfather of our subject, were the first to locate here, and his birth occurred in New Rochelle, November 29, 1738. At an early day he removed to Rye township and settled on the old homestead, which is still in possession of the family and a part of which will be inherited by our subject should he outlive the present life tenant. Ezekiel Halsted was a large land-owner and extensive farmer, as well as one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his community. He served with distinction as captain in the Revolutionary war. His son, Philemon, was also a captain in the state militia, and his discharge papers, granted by
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Governor Jay, of New York, are now in possession of Augustus M. Halsted. 1 He was the first president of the Westchester County Agricultural Associa- tion, and was an important factor in the promotion of many interests of public concern.
The grandfather, Philemon Halsted, was born on the old homestead in Rye township, and there spent his entire life as a successful farmer, owning large tracts of land. He was also one of the leading citizens of the com- munity, and for a great many years served as president of the Westchester County Agricultural Society. He married Deborah Davenport, a daughter of Lawrence Davenport, of New Rochelle, and to them were born two chil- dren: James Davenport and Newberry Davenport, the latter a prominent farmer. He took a very active part in public affairs and was acceptably serving as a member of the state legislature at the time of his death.
James Davenport Halsted, the father of our subject, was born on the old family homestead, October 20, 1809, and carried on agricultural pur- suits in the township of Rye throughout his entire life. He was a recognized leader of public thought, action and opinion and left the impress of his strong individuality upon many measures of general interest. A stanch supporter of the Democratic party, he efficiently served for many years as supervisor of this township. Although not a member of Christ Episcopal church, he served as one of its vestrymen for a number of years and was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. His death occurred January 25, 1865. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth S. Todd, was born July 2, 1816, in Waterford, Saratoga county, New York, and died October 28, 1896. She was a most estimable lady, and during her entire residence in Rye was a faithful member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Of their three children Augustus M. is the eldest. James M. is a resident of Oakland, California; and Elizabeth S. is the wife of H. C. Edgette, of Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Mr. Halsted, whose name introduces this review, was born in Rye township, November 22, 1836, and his boyhood days were spent under the parental roof. He had charge of the home farm from the time he was seven- teen years of age until 1862, when he engaged in the produce and commis- sion business, in New York city, carrying on operations along that line for three years. During the following four or five years he was engaged in newspaper work there, as associate editor of a stock paper, and on one of the prominent evening dailies, reporting political meetings and the actions of other large conventions and assemblages as his special department of the work. He next engaged in the manufacture of specialties in sheet-metal goods, and was the first in America to invent and make a self-regulating incubator. On account of ill health he retired from business in 1895, and is now enjoying a well earned rest, free from the cares and responsibilitet of business life.
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Mr. Halsted married Miss Amanda M. Hayward, a daughter of Colonel John R. Hayward, a prominent citizen of East Chester, New York, whose farm comprised a greater part of the present city of Mount Vernon, and who died at the age of sixty-seven years. The children born to this worthy couple are as follows: Rev. Newberry O., an Episcopal minister, who is now super- intendent of St. Johnland, Dr. Muhlenberg's home for aged men and orphan children, at Kings Park, Long Island; Carrie L., wife of G. Arthur Tuthill, of Brooklyn, New York; James D., a contractor and builder, in Rye; J. Henry, who is engaged in advertising specialties and patent business in New York city; Jennie A., wife of William H. Porter, of the firm of William Por- ter & Sons, New York; Florence, a talented artist in minature and figure work; A. Elizabeth, at home; and Robert A., who is attending the Irving Institute, at Tarrytown. The family is identified with the Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Halsted affiliates with the Democratic party. For eight- een years he has been a member of the board of education, serving as its president for fifteen years, but he has never cared for political honors, always refusing to become a candidate for office. In manner he is pleasant, genial and approachable, and all who know him esteem him highly for his genuine worth.
WILLIAM MAISON DU BOIS.
Mr. du Bois was born in the town of Ossining, Westchester county, New York, and moved in 1871 to the town of White Plains, in the same county, to the residence on Hamilton avenue where he has lived since that time.
He was admitted to the bar of New York state as attorney and counselor at law in 1879, after having graduated at the Columbia Law School with the degree of LL. B .. and has followed the practice of the law, his office being located in White Plains. He was also admitted to the United States district court in 1879.
He is descended from many families whose names are to be found among the earliest records of this country, some of his ancestors being of Huguenot origin, to-wit: duBois, Le Fevre, Hasbrouck, Deyo (four of the patentees of New Paltz, New York), Blanshan, du Ry, Le Maistre, Le Comte, Par- mentier and Cresson; some of them being Holland Dutch, to-wit: van Bomell, van Kleeck, van der Bogart, van Voorhoudt, van Schoonhoven, van der Linden, van Dyck, Viele, Aertsen, ter Bos, Segers, Schouw, Frederickse, Ten Broeck, Ten Eyck, Jorisen, Schermerhorn and Meyer; some of them English, to-wit: Skinner, Manning, Way, Marshall, Broadhead and Hugh- son; and some of them of various nationalities: for instance, Zabriskie (Poland), Goetschius (Swiss), Vermilye (Italian), Hazard (Welsh).
Mr. du Bois is a Freemason and a member and officer of White Plains
duBois
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Lodge, No. 473, F. &. A. M., of the state of New York, and also a member of the following (and other) societies, viz .: Society of Colonial Wars, Sons of the Revolution, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Saint Nicholas Society of New York, Huguenot Society of America, Washington Continental Guard, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, New York Historical Society, Westchester County Historical Society and the Westchester County Bar Association.
He married, at White Plains, New York, first, Grace Bartram, who died May 29, 1885, eldest daughter of Colonel Nelson B. Bartram; and secondly, Mabel Bartram, the second daughter of Colonel Bartram. Colonel Bartram, who died December 25, 1886, was of New England descent and commanded during the war of the Rebellion the regiment raised by the Union League Club of New York city.
Mr. and Mrs. du Bois have one child, a daughter named Mabel.
1
A. WATSON NEUMAN.
A. Watson Neuman, of Nepera, Westchester county, New York, is one. of the representative and well-known men of this county. He was born here February 24, 1848, and belongs to a family long resident in America. His father, Alvah Neuman, was born in 1813, son of John Neuman and grandson of Joseph Neuman, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John Neuman married Hannah Benedict, daughter of Colonel Benedict, an officer in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch has the musket that was used by his great-grandfather, Joseph Neuman, in the Revolutionary war. It has the mark made by a saber cut in the hands of a British officer. While in charge he warded off the blow with his gun and used the bayonet. John Neuman had ten children: Joseph (1), Sarah, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Holly, Alvah, Deborah, Joseph (2), Mary Jane and Patience. Alvah Neu- man, the father of our subject, married Nancy See, daughter of James Peter See and granddaughter of Peter See, a Revolutionary soldier. Thus it is. seen that A. Watson Neuman can in more ways than one trace his direct descent from Revolutionary stock. Alvah Neuman and wife were the parents of nine children, three of whom died in infancy. Those who reached adult years are as follows: James A .; John Milton, of New York; William A., also of New York; A. Watson, whose name introduces this- sketch; Abbie Amelia, wife of Bailey Kipp; and Loring, who died at the age of twenty-five years. The mother died in 1883, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the father died in 1891, at the age of seventy-eight. Some time before his death he was thrown from a wagon and had a limb broken, and from the effects of this injury he never recovered. He was a prosperous.
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farmer, religiously a member of the Reformed church, being an elder of the same, and politically a Democrat. April 3, 1809, by Daniel D. Tompkins, governor of New York, he was appointed an officer in the milltary regiment of Westchester county.
A. Watson Neuman was reared on the old farmstead, and in 1879 he married Miss Anna May Graham, daughter of Newman Graham, and, like her husband, having Revolutionary blood in her veins. Her grandfather, Dr. Isaac Graham, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was a de- scendant of the Scotch duke of Montrose. Newman Graham married Anne Onderdonk, a daughter of Abraham Onderdonk, a native of New York. Three children came to bless their union, -Ike Gilbert, of Tarry- town; William Warren, of Sing Sing; and Anna May. Mr. and Mrs. Neu- man have four children, -- Anna Kate, Albert Milton, Howard Graham and Laurinda.
Both Mr. Newman and his wife were reared in the faith of the Reformed church and they, like their parents, are consistent members of the same, he being an elder in the church. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has served several terms as township collector.
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