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 22
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was born. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Carpenter, was also born in Pownal, and died when he was seventeen months old. His father died when he was two years old.
Mr. McGowan being thus left an orphan, and the youngest of the family, has had much to encounter in his progress in life. £ Left alone at a tender age, the care and attention that he would otherwise have had, was denied him, and his schooling was, therefore, very much limited. But, with what he acquired in his occasional attendance at the district school, and the opportunity he providentially had of finishing his course, at the Jonesville Academy, in Saratoga county, he ob- tained a pretty good English education, and emerged into business life tolerably well qualified to contend with the world for a livelihood. His strong natural powers and great energy of character, moreover, enabled him to overcome all obstacles, and he soon found him- self going ahead in the full tide of successful experi- ment. At the age of seventeen he set out to seek his fortune, and for some time was employed by an older brother in Troy, as a clerk. Afterwards he was em- ployed at Clifton Park, Saratoga county, where, in 1845, after three years' service as a clerk, he formed a co-partnership with Mr. H. H. Rogers in a Canal store. While here he formed another partnership with Miss Mary Louisa Rogers, the daughter of his business part- ner, whom he married in 1846. Soon afterwards, his health failing, he gave up business for two or three years, but resumed it again in 1850, and continued it prosper- ously till 1853, when he engaged in the lumber and coal
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traffic. In 1854 he removed to Frankfort, Herkimer county, engaged in the mercantile business and boat building, and soon thereafter purchased a farm and added agriculture to his other pursuits.
Mr. McGowan was formerly a Democrat, but voted for Fillmore in 1856. He has acted with the Republi- cans since they organized into a party, and is now of the straitest kind.
JAMES MCKEON.
MR. MCKEON is an Irishman by descent, though born in the city of Troy, Rensselaer county, the first district of which he now represents. He is only twenty-seven years of age, and is such a man as Cæsar had in contemplation when he exclaimed : "Let me have men about me that are fat !"
When a lad he entered the service of Messrs. R. D. & D. Murray, as errand boy in their large brush manufactory, in which situation he remained four years. At the end of that period he was apprenticed to Eaton & Gilbert, proprie- tors of the celebrated omnibus and post coach establish- ment on Green Island. In that concern he also remained four years, acquiring, in the meantime, the reputation of being one of the best workmen in the country. Subse- quently he engaged in the liquor trade, and though with- out capital, such was his confidence in himself that he ran in debt for his stock, and by strict attention to business succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. In
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course of time he established a wholesale grocery store, which is now in profitable operation. Few young men have been more prosperous in a pecuniary way, or secured a more creditable business reputation. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that he neither drinks liquor nor uses tobacco in any form, though for a long time a dealer in these articles.
As we intimated above, Mr. Mckeon is of rotund propor- tions, and therefore naturally an Alderman, an office he has held since 1859, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the leading men of the Board.
At the election last fall he received a majority of up- wards of one thousand over a strong and popular oppo- nent, who ran against him for the seat he now occupies.
He has always taken a strong interest in the Fire Depart- ment of the city of Troy, and for several years was fore- man of the company to which he was attached. In 1858, the company presented him with a silver trumpet, and we think we cannot better close this sketch than by copying here the following closing extract from the presentation address, by Mr. George Demers :
You have talents and capacities that fit you for control- ling in a measure the conduct of others ; may you use them for good purposes. Let it be your ambition to develop in those under your leadership the noblest attributes of effi- cient firemen and upright citizens; of men whose good qualities are counterbalanced and destroyed by no attend- ant evil one ; who can generate caloric enough to operate a fire engine, without taking on fuel from a beer pail ; who can extinguish a conflagration by the well-directed applica- tion of cold water, and without swearing at it; who can work well without playing ill ; who would be ashamed to go near a looking-glass, if they had any idea that they
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should see a loafer there. It can only be said to you, in conclusion :
" Stand for the Right, through thick or thin : Let rogues uphold the wrong.
Be manful, cheerful : in the din, Triumph is with the strong. What'er the bad may say or do, Fight for the honest part ; What bodes a frown, a growl to you, If truth sustains the heart ?"
JAMES McLEAN.
This is the first prominent appearance of MR. McLEAN in a public official capacity. He has long been a leading man in the section of the State where he resides, but his ambition has led him to excel in a quiet pursuit of his business rather than in the empty honors of a little brief authority. His qualities of head and of heart, however, adapt him well for the position he now occupies, and render him one of the very best men in the Legislature. Although a good debater, he rarely attempts to speak, and when he does he advances directly to the real point in controversy, which he never fails to handle intelli- gently and satisfactorily.
Mr. McLean is forty-three years of age, and was born in the town of Junius, Seneca county, N. Y. He has passed his life chiefly as a resident of that county, where he is successfully engaged in the lumber and milling business. He held the office of Superintendent of the
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Poor from 1853 until '57, and has repeatedly been Su- pervisor and Justice of the Peace in his town. He has always been strongly conservative in all his political views and feelings, voting for Mr. Fillmore in the Pres- idential contest of 1856, and was a member of the Committee of Sixteen in the Utica State Convention in 1859, which made out the State ticket that was that year elected. He has always been found a shrewd and sagacious leader whenever taking part in politics, and is always a most dangerous opponent.
Mr. McLean is married, and is a gentleman of high character and influence in the community of which he is a resident.
JOHN Mc SHEA.
This gentleman was born in the city of Armagh, the Primatical See of Ireland, some thirty-two years ago, and emigrated to this country in 1847, and located in Albany. His parents are still living. In 1849, he removed to Nis- kayuna, Schenectady county, where he established himself in the business of tanning and currying, and still resides there. He is one of a family of four brothers, each one of whom, like himself, stands six feet in his boots. He is highly respected in his town, as a young man of fine talents and estimable character. In his business, he is regarded as a man of strict integrity and honor, and is a straight- forward, energetic and enterprising man. His personal popularity is very great, and his townsmen have evinced
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their good feelings toward him by conferring upon him important trusts. Well educated himself, he has taken great interest in the education of others, and has held various offices connected with the common schools. He has also been elected for two terms, as Justice of the Peace, and is now an acting magistrate.
MR. McSHEA has always been an unflinching Democrat, and by his voice and pen labored hard to avert the evils of war. But when the rebellion broke out, he took his stand, at once, in defense of the Union and the Constitution, resolved to stand by and sustain the flag of his adopted country. He was appointed one of the War Committee of his town, and was an efficient and active member. He was also selected, by Gov. Morgan, as one of the commis- sioners to superintend the enrollment of persons liable to do military duty, and has been arduous and earnest in the discharge of his duty.
Mr. McShea was elected a Member of the present As- sembly in a close contest, being the first Democrat elected in the county in ten years, in a contested election. He made his debut in the House, on the occasion of the an- nouncement of the death of Judge Willard, who was the Senator from his district. His eulogy on that distinguished man was an effort of great merit, its touching pathos and eloquent delivery producing great effect. This was fol- lowed soon after by a speech on the Governor's Message, and the subject of Arbitrary Arrests, which, it is well known, involved all the political questions of the day. The research displayed in this speech, its arrangement and elo- quent delivery, stamps his character as one of the ablest debaters in the House.
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Mr. McShea is a very useful and efficient member, and though one of the youngest, is looked upon as one of the most promising and most worthy. The people of his dis- trict have reason to be proud of their representative, and by honoring him, hereafter, they will do honor to them- selves. He is unmarried, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
JOHN E. MARSHALL.
This gentleman, by his unassuming and courteous deportment, and strict attention to his duties through- out the session, has secured the respect of his fellow- members in the House, without distinction of party.
He is a native of Mamaroneck, Westchester county, forty-eight years of age, and a boot and shoe dealer by occupation. His grandfather, Sylvanus Marshall, ren- dered efficient service to the country in the Revolution, by his successful efforts in bringing out volunteers, and served himself throughout the entire war.
Though receiving only a common school education, MR. MARSHALL has, like many other self-made men, edu- cated himself, and, perhaps, no man in the Legislature is better informed upon all the great questions of the day.
He is a prominent man in the community where he resides, entering cheerfully and earnestly into all enter- prises looking to the public improvement. As an evi- dence of the long-continued esteem in which he is held
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by his fellow-townsmen, we need only state the fact that he was Supervisor of the town of Rye for six years in succession, ending in 1861. In politics he has invari- ably adhered to the Democratic party, and been un- flinching in his opposition to all manner of political cor- ruption. He is a warm-hearted, generous and high- toned, and represents his constituents with marked dignity and ability.
Upon the opening of the rebellion, like his patriotic grandfather before him, he was zealous and active in raising volunteers, and has since devoted much time in furnishing relief for their families. Of his own means he has contributed liberally as his circumstances would permit. As a member of the Union Defense Commit- tee, and in every other way, he has demonstrated his love of country and his detestation of the rebellion.
In June, 1837, Mr. Marshall was married to Miss Susan M. Covert. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and an attendant at St. Peter's in the village of Portchester.
ABNER C. MATTOON.
MR. MATTOON was born in the town of Locke, Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1814, and is, therefore, forty-nine years old. He is of French and Anglo-Saxon extraction. His father, Henry Mattoon, died in 1823; his mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Ann Clough, is still
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entered upon the active duties of life under favorable auspices. For many years he has been extensively en- gaged in the forwarding business, ship building and mercantile business, in all of which he has met with great success. He is now one of the largest canal boat owners in the State, and hence transports, to and from New York, immense quantities of produce and mer- chandise. He keeps an office in New York, at No. 107 Broad street, his interest and business being so largely connected with the Commercial Metropolis as to render it necessary, though his residence is in Oswego. He is a man of extraordinary energy and enterprise, of great sagacity and ability, and rushes through, at all hazards, whatever project he may have on hand. It is even said of him that, determined to go ahead in everything, he keeps the fastest horse, and the swiftest yacht, in the "Lake country." It is not strange that such a man should be eminently successful, as no reverse daunts him, but on the contrary nerves him to still greater effort.
When quite young, Mr. Mattoon went to Rochester, where he was brought up, and after several years' resi- dence in that city, went to New York and established himself in business ; whence, in 1844, he removed to Oswego. Besides his large business operations, he has, in the genuine spirit of philanthropy, had an eye to the interests of the rising generation, and has taken a deep interest in the subject of education. He was School Commissioner ten years, and is now President of the Board of Education. He assisted in establishing the new system of "object lesson teaching," now in successful operation in Oswego, although it seems to
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have found no favor elsewhere. It is, nevertheless, a most important improvement, and seems the best calcu- lated to make an enduring impression on the young and tender minds of youth, as it daguerreotypes the object on their memories so clearly and strongly as not to be removed or defaced. First impressions are the most enduring ; and hence objects engraved on the minds of the young, will last as long as the soul inhabits the body.
Mr. Mattoon has always held a high place in the estimation of the community in which he resides. In addition to his long service as School Commissioner, he has been elected Supervisor three successive years, and has had many other strong proofs of the regard of his fellow citizens.
In former days Mr. Mattoon was a Whig, thence by easy transition an American, and since the dissolution or suspension of that organization, he has acted with the Republican party. As an American he was a can- didate for the Assembly, running against Hon. Orville Robinson, by whom he was beaten by a small majority ; consequently Mr. Robinson became the Speaker of the Assembly. He was elected a Member of the present Assembly by a majority of three hundred and fifty-six.
He was married in 1843, to Miss Caroline N. Nichols, a most estimable and beautiful lady, and attends the Presbyterian Church.
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STEPHEN L. MAYHAM.
Blenheim, Schoharie county, is the birthplace of MR. MAYHAM. He is now in the thirty-fifth year of his age, having been born on the 8th of October, 1828. He is of mixed descent, the blood of Ireland, Scotland and Germany mingling in his veins.
His father, John Mayham, was a farmer of moderate means, and during his earlier years his son assisted him in his agricultural pursuits. He, however, enjoyed all the advantages of education to be found in the common schools of Blenheim, and subsequently passed some time as a student in Jefferson Academy. At the age of twenty-one he entered the law office of S. W. Jack- son, in Gilboa, remaining there for the period of six months, when he removed to Ithaca, Tompkins county, where he completed his professional studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1850. Since that time the prac- tice of law has been his only occupation.
For four years Mr. Mayham was Superintendent of Common Schools of the town of Blenheim, three years its Supervisor, and has been District Attorney of Scho- harie county. He has always been an unwavering Democrat of the National stamp, and was elected to the House by over two thousand majority. He possesses strong native intellect, a sound, discriminating judg- ment ; and although speaking rarely, is one of the most forcible, concise and convincing debaters in the House. To these qualities are added all the noblest attributes of a warm-hearted, generous and agreeable gentleman,
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which makes him friends among all classes of men, with out distinction of party.
In 1851 Mr. Mayham married Miss Julia A. Martin, and is an attendant of the Reformed Dutch Church.
LEVI MILLER.
MR. MILLER is one of the oldest men in the House, being sixty-four years of age, and is a native of the town of Westmoreland, Worcester county, Mass. He is well educated, and has passed his life principally as a sur- veyor and civil engineer. In politics he was originally a staunch Whig, but at the abandonment of the organi- zation of that body became a Republican. He was a Member of Assembly in 1846, where he maintained a quiet though respectable position, and was re-elected at the last election by a flattering majority.
He is married, and is said to be a man of respecta- bility and some influence in the neighborhood where he resides.
WILLIAM MORGAN.
MR. MORGAN is a man of strong prejudices, and is a Republican of the most rabid stamp. He is sel- dom found kicking over the party traces, and not unfre-
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quently excels his party by the extremity to which lie carries his views and feelings on public questions. Al- though no speaker, he was exceedingly zealous in his opposition to the resolutions of Judge Dean, on the sub- ject of arbitrary arrests, which were defeated in the House by a strict party vote.
Nevertheless, Mr. Morgan is said to be a gentleman of some character and influence where he resides, in Niagara county, and was elected to the Assembly by a flattering majority. He is about forty-eight years of age; a builder, and has been Supervisor of his town some four years.
FREEMAN P. MOULTON.
This gentleman is a native of the Gibraltar of the Democracy of the Empire State-old Schoharie county. He is a large, substantial, good-natured, whole-souled man, with a big heart and a hearty grasp of the hand for all his friends, and is as immovable in his attachment to pure Democratic principles as his native hills. He is a plain, practical man, and although seldom addressing the House, always speaks to the purpose when he arises in debate. His judgment is good ; his discrimina- tion clear; his firmness almost unbounded, and he serves all questions, involving the interests of the State, as Hamlet did the Ghost :
" I'll speak to it though hell itself should gape, And bid me hold my peace."
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Mr. MOULTON is about forty-four years of age. His pa- ternal ancestors settled in Connecticut, and his mother's family were residents of this State. His education was confined chiefly to the common schools of his native place, and he has devoted his life thus far principally to agricultural pursuits. He has held the office of School Superintendent, but his position, at present, is the first prominent office he ever occupied. He is a gentleman of superior personal popularity, and was elected a Member of Assembly by a complimentary majority. He is always at his post in the House, and attends to his duties faithfully and intelligently.
JAMES M. MUNRO.
The first district of Onondaga has three times returned this gentleman to the Assembly, and yet it cannot be said that he is a popular man in the community where he resides, in the proper sense of that term. He is somewhat bluff and burly in his disposition, and repels rather than attracts those with whom he comes in contact. Neverthe- less, he is a shrewd wire-puller; and by good management he has succeeded in obtaining a number of offices.
Besides being three times elected to the Legislature, as above stated, he was for several years Superintendent of the Poor, and from 1856 to 1859 Sheriff of the county of Onondaga.
He is still a resident of Camillus, where he was born about the year 1814, and is consequently forty-nine years
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of age. By occupation he is a farmer and miller. In poli- tics he is a radical Republican, and as such was elected to the present Assembly over John Munro, Democrat, by five hundred and ninety-three majority.
MR. MUNRO is a married man, about five feet ten inches high, of solid proportions, and has been styled the Cyclops of the Assembly.
JOHN W. MURPHY.
MR. MURPHY is a native of the Green Isle of the Ocean, and was born in the town of Ballycolane, in the county of Kildare, Ireland, on the 22d day of June, 1830, and is now in his thirty-third year. He came to this country in November, 1849, and settled in Buffalo, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1856 he went to Minnesota, where he practised his profession about a year. He was a member of the first Democratic State Convention in that State, representing Sibley county. In the fall of 1857 he returned to Buffalo, opened a law office, took a partner and has since been practising under the firm of Murphy & Matteson. He was never a candidate for office until he was nominated for the Assembly, although he has long been prominent in politics. He is a staunch Democrat, firm and unyielding as the everlasting hills, and exercises a good deal of influence in his party. He is a single man, and belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.
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Mr. Murphy is a man of decided talent, of an impulsive, ardent temperament ; and, when roused to action, is im- petnous and sometimes slightly vindictive. He is a ready speaker, and as he warms up with his subject, is em- phatic and decisive. He makes strong points, and uses strong language to enforce them, always commanding the attention of the House. In the protracted and heated discussion incident to the election of Speaker, he par- ticipated largely, and his determined course elicited loud applause from the galleries. The blows that he dealt on that occasion will long be remembered by the corruptionists who came under his scathing review, and they will do anything but bless his memory. He is an observant legislator, taking good care of the interests of his constituents, and suffers no opportunity to pass without notice, bearing in any way upon them. He is a man of generous impulses, warm-hearted and genial. If he has faults they are of the head only, his heart has nothing to do with them.
DANIEL M. O'BRIEN.
This gentleman, as his name indicates, is of Celtic pa- rentage, though born in the city of New York on the 1st April, 1836.
In youth he enjoyed excellent advantages for obtain- ing a thorough education, being a pupil of William H. Leggett one of the finest classical scholars in the country,
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and subsequently of John Gilmary Shea, celebrated as the author of the work entitled "The Exploration and Discovery of the Mississippi Valley."
Upon leaving school MR. O'BRIEN resolved to adopt the law as his profession, and accordingly entered the office of Chauncey Shaffer and Benjamin T. Kissam as a student, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He has been successful in business. In the fall of 1861 he was elected to the Assembly by a majority of four hun- dred and eighty-seven over his opponent, and was a member of the Judiciary Committee. His services in the House were of such a satisfactory character, that his constituents renominated him, increasing his previous majority to one thousand seven hundred and forty-two. This, too, was accomplished notwithstanding he was bitterly opposed by the "Ring" in the city of New York-an institution with which he has never had any affiliation.
Mr. O'Brien is a bachelor, twenty-seven years of age, and of prepossessing manners. He is a gentleman of warm and generous impulses and is regarded by his multitude of friends as a genuine good fellow.
WILLIAM L. OSWALD.
MR. OSWALD was born in Edinburgh, that ancient capital of Scotland, in 1831, and is now, therefore, in his thirty-second year. He was President of the village of West Troy in 1861, and Chief Engineer of the Fire
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Department in 1858 and '59. When the rebellion broke out he raised a company with which he entered the field as Captain. He is now President of the West Troy Gas Company, and is also engaged in the business of steam towing, and is an enterprising and industrious man. Politically he is a Democrat, and is one of the most active workers of his party in his district. He is not boisterous in his career, but makes a pretty good representative.
HARVEY PALMER.
MR. PALMER is a native of the town of Parish, Oswego county, N. Y., where he now resides, and is forty-six years of age. His parents were natives of Connecticut, and he is probably of English descent. He received a common English education, and is a farmer. He has held the office of Supervisor some three years, and was elected to the Assembly by upwards of a thousand majority on a straight Republican ticket over a strong Democratic opponent. He is married. His course in the House is very quiet, and has attracted but little attention during the winter.
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