USA > New York > Biographical sketches of the state officers and members of the legislature of the state of New York in 1862 and '63 > Part 12
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FREDERIC A. LYMAN.
MR. LYMAN is a native of the town of Otisco, Onondaga county, N. Y., and was one of the youngest men in the House, having been born on the 3d of September, 1833. His parents were both natives of Hampshire county, Mass., and were of Scotch descent. His father, Thomas Lyman, died in Onondaga county, on the 24th of October, 1850, at the age of sixty-five, and his mother, whose name before marriage was Betsy Clapp, is still living, at the age of seventy.
Mr. Lyman was educated at the Onondaga Valley Aca- demy, and passed one term in the Albany Law School, and also one at the State and National Law School at Pough- keepsie. He removed, with his parents, when only two
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years of age, from his native place to the town of Onondaga, where he resided till 1854, since which time he has been a resident of the town of Marcellus. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and since then has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He was formerly a Repub- lican, until the inauguration of the late Union movement, when he took an active part in the organization of that party and was elected upon that issue to the Assembly, defeating a straight Republican candidate by fifty majority. He was an honest, faithful, and intelligent member of the House, and has left upon the records of that body a legis- lative career of which his constituents may feel proud.
DENNIS MCCABE.
MR. MCCABE was one of the most clever, whole-souled and agreeable gentlemen in the Legislature of 1862. Although rather prepossessing in his personal appear- ance, there was nothing vain and ostentatious about him. He was perfectly plain, simple and unpretending -never put on airs, and had the good will of every one - pages, officers, members, old and young - all - not even excepting the ladies, among whom he was said to be quite popular.
Mr. McCabe is a native of the city of New York, where he has always resided. He is descended from pure Irish stock. His education was confined chiefly to the ordinary English branches, and his career in life has been that of a successful business man. Politically,
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he is a Republican of strong conservative proclivities, and was elected to the Assembly as a representative of that party. He was always found faithful in the dis- charge of his legislative duties, and did credit to himself as well as those whom he represented. He was again a candidate at the last election for a seat in the House, but although, personally, one of the most popular men in his district, was entirely overwhelmed in the contest by the strong Democratic current that so unexpectedly swept over the almost entire State.
ALEXANDER McLEOD.
MR. MCLEOD is the descendant of a long line of Scotch Cameronians that have held high positions in the ecclesiastical and political world, and have been dis- tinguished for their patriotism and attachment to free principles. His paternal grandfather, Rev. Alexander McLeod, D. D., was born in Scotland and emigrated to this country in 1793. He graduated at Union College, and in 1800 became Pastor of the First Reformed Pres- byterian Church of New York City, in which position he remained until his death in 1833. He was the author of a series of sermons, justifying the United States Government in the war with England in 1812. For these sermons he received the thanks of James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, the Corporation of the City of New York, and many other public men and bodies. Mr. McLeod's father, Rev. William N. McLeod, D. D., is
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now Pastor of the same church which was under the care of Dr. Alexander McLeod. He is also Professor of Theology to the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and occupies a high standing among the clergy and literary men of New York city. The maternal grandfather of Mr. McLeod was Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, D. D., LL. D. He was a native of Ireland, and was exiled from that country for his efforts in behalf of its freedom along with the Emmets, Lamp- sons, MeNevins, and others in 1798. He was Pastor of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Phila- delphia and Vice-Provost of the University of Pennsyl- vania. Rev. Dr. Wylie, of Philadelphia, and Rev. Dr. Wylie, of Miami University, are uncles of Mr. McLeod.
Mr. McLeod was born in the city of Philadelphia, on the 14th of August, 1832. Soon after his birth his parents removed to the city of New York, and he has ever since been a resident of that city. He received his education at the University of the City of New York. He entered upon a mercantile career, which he is still pursuing. He is an ardent and active Republican of the Radical school, is prominent in New York City politics, and has been a Delegate to several Republican State Conventions. He is connected with the press of New York City, and wields an able pen. He had not held office previous to his election to the Assembly. He is very popular, as he has a pleasing address and easily makes friends.
Mr. McLeod is unmarried, and attends the First Re- formed Presbyterian Church of New York City.
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EDGAR MCMULLEN.
This gentleman is a native of Albany, descended from the Scotch on his father's side, as his name indicates, while from his maternal ancestors he inherits the blood of the good old Dutch stock of the Van Benthuysens. For many years previous to his death his father occu- pied a prominent position among the substantial mer- chants of Albany, and at one time ran for Mayor of that city. His son, EDGAR, appears never to have enjoyed other than an ordinary academical education. Af- ter passing his twelfth year we lose sight of him until he turns up one of the Wardens of the port of New York, an appointment he retained for the period of four years. In 1862 he made his appearance in the Assembly as member from one of the Brooklyn districts, elected by the Union party. His course during the session was more boisterous than brilliant. He affected a holy horror for official corruption, and was made Chairman of a Special Committee to investigate the acts of the Military Board. For a time he led many to anticipate that he was about to make developments of the most startling character, but the whole matter finally termi- nated in a first-rate fizzle. During his onslaught upon the integrity of others, the fact was brought home to him quite emphatically that those who live in glass houses ought not to throw stones.
He attracted some attention also by his hostility to the Free Concert Bill, and his notions of morality, as connected with the subject that bill involved, coincided
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exactly with the frowsy female distributers of lager beer.
Last fall he was again a candidate for the Assembly, but the voters of his district very properly determined to excuse him from further official service.
Mr. McMullen is a young man of somewhat prepos- sessing appearance; has some rather clever qualities ; is quite ambitious in a political way, but lacks those moral and intellectual attributes that lead to permanent distinction.
SAMUEL T. MADDOX.
The career of Mr. MADDOX furnishes another proof of the oft-repeated assertion that in this country the poorest and humblest may aspire to, and reach positions of, trust and of honor.
Mr. Maddox was born in the city of New York, on the 20th of May, 1830. His parents were poor and could do little towards giving him a start in the world. He obtained a little education in the public schools of New York city. At the age of eight years he commenced battling with the world as a laborer in a rope-walk. This business, however, did not suit his taste very well, and he left it, and learned the trade of a ship-builder. At the age of eighteen, having become a resident of Brooklyn, he joined the Fire Depart- ment of that city. He is still a member, and is very proud of his connection with the firemen of that city. He is fore- man of a Hook and Ladder Company, and has twice been
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elected President of the Fire Department of the eastern district of Brooklyn.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Maddox assisted in raising a company of volunteers for the 13th Regiment, under the command of the late Col. Smith. He went with the company as a private, and served three months, the period for which he volunteered. Both as a fireman and a soldier, he was exceedingly popular among his associates, and always found means to cheer up the boys and make time pass pleasantly, even under circumstances calculated to give rise to the " blues."
Mr. Maddox gave up working at ship building some years ago, an accident rendering him unable to work at it any longer. He then went into the collecting and commis- sion business. When he first became a voter he joined the Democratic party, but the events of 1856 made him a Republican, and he went in straight for Fremont. Since that time he has been a staunch Republican. He was elected to the Assembly on a straight Republican ticket, two other candidates being in the field. He was among the most active members of the House, and evinced con- siderable talent in legislative matters.
Mr. Maddox was married in 1852, to Miss Sarah L. Bates.
FRANCIS O. MASON.
MR. MASON is a native of the town of Bristol, Ontario county, N. Y., and is twenty-nine years of age. His father's family were from Massachusetts, and his
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mother's were always residents of this State. He re- ceived a good academical education, and having passed a short time in the study of the law, was admitted to the bar. He followed his profession a short time with some success, when, unfortunately, as in the case of all young lawyers, he turned his attention to politics. Possessing a good deal of natural ability, together with a quick, active, persevering disposition, he soon became quite prominent in the local management of Republi- can politics in his district, and was elected to the Assembly as a representative of the late Union move- ment. His career in that body was not brilliant, though marked with a good degree of industry and attention to business, and he is said to have been faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties. His marked independence of character, however, was not calculated to conciliate many friends, and the hostility exhibited by him towards the County Treasurers of the State in the matter of a bill reducing the profits of their office, simply to gratify, apparently, a personal animosity at home, rendered him quite unpopular both in and out of the House, before the close of the session.
After the adjournment of the Legislature, Mr. Mason returned to his home in Canandaigua, but only to find, as the natural result of a temporary abandonment of his profession, his clients pretty well scattered. Finding his profession, therefore, not very profitable, he sought other pursuits, and finally found himself performing military duties at Albany in a subordinate capacity, under the Adjutant-General.
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DAVID G. MAXON.
MR. MAXON was one of the oldest and most quiet men in the House. He was born in Petersburgh, Rens- selaer county, N. Y., on the 10th of August, 1802. He is of English descent. His parents were both originally from Rhode Island. His father, David Maxon, died, at an advanced age, on the 15th of August, 1839, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Greenman, died on the 6th of August, 1853.
Mr. Maxon was educated in a common district school, and was brought up on a farm, still pursuing, at the present time, an honest cultivation of the soil as his occupation. He never held any public office until his election to the Legislature, save that of Supervisor, which he occupied during the years 1846, '47, '60, and '62. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, taking sides with the Freesoil faction in 1848, and is now a Republican. He is not a talking man, being, what is far better as a legislator, a working man, and is said to have been honest and faithful in the discharge of his legislative duties.
Mr. Maxon was married in 1823 to Hannah Mary Rix, and belongs to the Baptist Church.
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ORSON MOORE.
MR. MOORE was born of English descent, on the 2d of August, 1801, in the town of South Brookfield, Mass. He is a brother of Dr. Thomas I. Moore, of Starfield, Illinois, and the Rev. Calvin C. Moore, of Ontario, in the same state, late a Baptist missionary in India. His father Hollon Moore, died in 1858, at Cummington, Mass., at the age of eighty, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sally Kendall, died in 1837, at Ches- terfield, in that State, at the age of fifty-six.
Mr. Moore received a common school education in his native State, and in 1827, located in the town of Nor- way, Herkimer county, N. Y., where he resided till his removal in 1836, to the town of Russia, in the same county, his present place of residence. He was reared a farmer, and has always been extensively engaged in that occupation as a dairyman, milking, at the present time, from forty to fifty cows during the season, and making from three to five hundred and fifty pounds of cheese per cow during the season. He taught school in Massachusetts during the winter season from 1820 to '28, and during the summer months in those years, laid stone wall in Herkimer county, averaging nearly four hundred rods a season. He has been Justice of the Peace some sixteen years since 1842, and Supervisor four years. He is a man of exemplary habits, and has not used a glass of any kind of intoxicating drink as a beverage during the last thirty-five years. Politically, he was originally a Whig and is now a Republican.
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His course in the Assembly was quiet and unpretend- ing, but none the less distinguished for a faithful dis- charge of his duties.
Mr. Moore was married in November, 1827, to Miss Thirza Ann Salisbury, who died in 1842, and in January, 1843, was married again to Miss Matilda L., a sister of his first wife. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
PHILIP H. NEHER.
WHY on earth Should you wish to know my place of birth ; Why should you question when and where I first inhaled my native air ;
Why should you know of what descent, Whether blood of Newton, Clay, or Kent, What moots it if Union, Yale, or Brown, Or the school-house of the country town, Should all proclaim, with pride elate, He surely is our graduate. " What offices," you ask, well, I declare, This question to me is hardly fair, And I fain would shrink your acrid cup, And cry " Oh ! Murphy, let me up," But you must know all your book to fill, Well, Sir, I was born at Sandy Hill, Washington county, Empire State, In name and fame all truly great ; The good book at home records the time, February fifteen, 'twenty-nine,
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And my ancestry, you'll understand, Were from the German's fatherland. Distinguished kin I never knew ; Have always rowed my own canoe, Edward Neher is my father's name, Unsullied by emblazoned fame. Regina Cooper, my mother says, They called her in her girlish days ; Both are happy, and still alive, Aged fifty-three and fifty-five. " Where was I educated ?" Well, I hardly think that I can tell, Yet I may to you acknowledge It was at a rural college, That has long been quite lost to fame, 'Twere folly now to give it a name. " What occupation ?" Mercantile, Which yet I follow with a will. " Office," Sir, is not my nature, My first is that of legislator, And what I have done to be sent here Is not to me entirely clear. " Politics," well, I was a Whig, When Clay and Webster sailed the brig ; When Scott and Fremont's friends took hold, I was, with them, out in the cold. When secession raised its head, And shook its locks of gory red, Then, Sir, I own with joy elate I welcomed to the Ship of State An honest man, few earth have trod, As they're the noblest works of God. " When married," Sir, my thoughts now stray To a dozen years ago this day,
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When a maiden fair, with affection full, Yielded the name of Jennie Bull. To your last I'll say please record me Of Roger Williams' proclivity. Now, Sir, I have answered your fourteen, From which " brief caudle " you may glean One fact, which to me is clear, I am simply P. H. Neher.
NICHOLAS NEWKIRK.
This good-natured, clever, jolly, old-fashioned and agree- able gentleman is a lineal descendant of the ancient Dutch settlers, who were the first to penetrate the wilds of the head-waters of the Mohawk, many years ago, and was one of the noticeable characters of the House in 1862. Wholly devoid of all political aspiration, he cared not to come to Albany in the capacity of a representative, but when he once found himself in that position, he determined to embrace the opportunity thus afforded him of having a good time "away from home," which he did. Wherever, therefore, there was any sport to be found during the win- ter, the hero of our sketch was sure to be "the observed of all observers." The distinguished peculiarity of his case, however, was that he was generally a sort of butt for the whole House, on whose shoulders every ridiculous incident was regularly fathered, whether it owed its paternity to him or not. He was, as it were, residuary legatee to all the post-
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humous follies of his ancient Mohawk ancestors, as well as of all the absurdities of his living legislative cotemporaries. As Pasquin stood sponsor for all the wise sayings of Rome, so he came in for all the foolish actions of the Assembly of 1862.
Mr. Newkirk is a large, full, round, fat man, on short legs, with a humorous eye, a full, florid, shiny face, and is so unctuous withal that he involuntarily impresses one with the idea that he must have oil, instead of blood, in his veins, like other people. He is a man of exquisite taste- not in music, nor yet of painting, and still less can it be said of him that he is particularly distinguished for his taste in dress, or dancing, or any such frivolities, but it is simply in the matter of oysters on the half-shell, turtle soup, fresh canvass-back ducks, fillets of tenderloin, sour krout, old rye and hot punch-in all of which his taste is pre-eminent. He always enjoys these things, however, in company with his friends; and it is said when at home " his latch string is always on the outside of the door."
Although a man of high respectability, it is said he had one fault at Albany -- that of being constantly in love. He was a perfect ancient Adonis of modern origin, with the difference that he was entirely devoid of that degree of modesty and timidity for which Adonis is so much distinguished in his friendly inter- course with Venus in the celebrated "Passionate Pil- grim." Jilting did not seem to do him any good; if one lady played him false, he instantly made a declara- tion to another. Fair or dark, short or tall, fat or slim, it were all the same; his heart was like a carpet-bag - you could cram any amount of love into it.
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DARIUS A. OGDEN.
MR. OGDEN Was born in the town of Geneva, Cayuga county, N. Y., on the 14th of August, 1815. His father's family came to this State from New Jersey, and are, pro- bably, of Welch extraction. They were connected with Governor Ogden's family, and many others of the name who have been distinguished for their patriotism, learning and worth. His father, Ezekiel Ogden, died when the subject of this sketch was only eight years old, thus leaving him to the care of his mother to prepare him for the important duties of life. She lived to witness his entire success, and died, honored and esteemed, in 1860, at the advanced age of eighty-five, having lived a widow about forty years.
Mr. Ogden was educated in the district school and aca- demy, and worked on the farm until he was fifteen years old. He then went to Penn Yan, and engaged as a clerk in a store, until he became of age. Having attained his majority, he commenced business on his own account, but not succeeding to his satisfaction, after a year's experience, he sold out, and commenced the study of law. He was subsequently admitted to practice, but did not pursue the profession. In 1841 he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and in 1843 was appointed Postmaster in Penn Yan. Subsequently he became the Editor and Pro- prietor of the Penn Yan Democrat, and for several years conducted that paper with marked ability, attaining a high rank in the editorial profession.
In 1853 he was appointed Canal Appraiser, by Governor Seymour, and distinguished himself in that position as a
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man of sound judgment, discrimination and ability. This office involves a large expenditure, annually, for the payment of awards; and the appraisers are liable to be imposed upon by claimants for canal damages, who usually demand an amount far exceeding the actual injury sustained. It re- quires, therefore, a general acquaintance with business, good judgment, and uncompromising integrity, to guard against imposition, secure to citizens their just dues, and at the same time protect the interests of the State. Mr. Ogden, however, possessed these qualifications in an eminent de- gree, and his action in the board, during the brief time he was connected with it, redounds to the good of the State, and to his own integrity and honor. In 1854 he was ap- pointed Consul to Honolulu, by President Pierce, where he remained two years, performing his duties to the National Government with the same fidelity that characterised his dealings with the State.
In politics, Mr. Ogden is a Union Democrat, and belonged to the Hunker wing of the party in the contest with the Barnburners. In 1848 he stumped the State in support of Gen. Cass for the Presidency, and was one of the most effective speakers in the campaign. In 1856, and again in 1858, he was the Democratic Candidate for Congress in his district and polled a very large vote. In 1861, on the breaking out of the rebellion, he en- gaged in the so-called Union movement, by which he was chosen to the Assembly by a majority of about sixteen hundred. His course in that body is familiar to all, as one of the ablest and most eloquent members of that body. He took strong ground in support of the National Government and against yielding to the inte- rests of slavery.
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Mr. Ogden was married in 1834 to Miss Judith A. Lawrence, who belonged to one of the most respectable families in Yates county. He is a member of and at- tends the Methodist Church, in which he takes a deep interest. He has also done much for the cause of edu- cation, having, with the aid of a few public-spirited citizens of Penn Yan, succeeded in establishing a first class academy, which is now in successful operation, and promises to redound as well to the interest of the village as to the energy of its citizens.
WILLIAM G. OLVANY.
MR. OLVANY was the youngest member of the House during the session of 1862. Possessed of keen percep- tive faculties and quick to acquire knowledge, he is, nev- ertheless, one of those men who enjoy a social gathering far more than the routine of legislative business or the platitudes of a political harangue. He has a rare talent for cracking a joke, telling a story, singing a song, or mimicking the ludicrous peculiarities of humanity. This talent is often brought into requisition by his friends, when met together at festive gatherings, and his mirth- provoking efforts seldom fail to bring down the house.
Mr Olvany is a native of New York city. He was born on the 20th of January, 1838, on the site lately occupied by the Broadway Theatre. His lineage is full-blooded Irish. His education was obtained at two of the public schools of New York city, and at St. Vincent's Academy.
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He completed a course of study at the latter, with honor to himself, at the early age of seventeen. He then be- came a clerk in the wholesale dry goods establishment of Messrs. Smyth, O'Rourke & Herring, of New York city. His father, James Olvany, in the meantime, carried on the livery business. This, ere long, increased to such an extent that Mr. Olvany left the firm above named and took charge of the books of his father's business. Po- litically, he has belonged to no other than the Demo- cratic party, and never held office previous to his being elected to the Assembly.
Mr. Olvany was married on the 25th of November, 1860, to Miss Delia Burke, born in London, England, of Irish parents. He attends the Roman Catholic Church.
DAVID B. PARCE.
MR. PARCE is a native of Chenango county, N. Y., and of the district which he represented in the Assem- bly. His progenitors were of English origin. Both his parents were living at the time he was a member, being then about seventy years of age. His father, Justus Parce, was a member of the House in 1838.
Mr. Parce obtained his education at the common school of his native place and at Norwich Academy. He chose the mercantile business as the vocation of his life, and still follows it. He is quite active in political
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