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 4
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In person Senator Bradley is of medium size and height ; has light brown hair, blue eyes, heavy mustache and fresh countenance. He is a very reliable man, and is familiar and cordial in his intercourse with friends, but to a stranger he is rather unapproachable-a feature in his composition which not unfrequently does him great injustice. Doubt- less, however, a few years of experience, and a consequent improvement in his knowledge of human nature, will ren- der him still more successful in life, and render his star still more brilliantly in the ascendant.
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HENRY A. CLARK.
SENATOR CLARK was born in Sidney Plains, Delaware county, N. Y., in 1818, and is now, therefore, in his forty- fifth year. He is of English descent. His father and mother both died in May, 1858, the former at the age of seventy nine, and the latter aged eighty-three. His mother's maiden name was Foote. She was the daugher of a Revo- lutionary patriot, who was employed in the public service during that eventful period of American history, and was a resident of West Point. The subject of this sketch graduated at Hamilton College in 1838, and studied law in Buffalo. Soon after being admitted to practice, he opened an office in the flourishing village of Bainbridge,
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Chenango county, taking the place of the late Hon. John C. Clark, who had removed to Washington. Here he yet remains, doing an extensive business, by which he has amassed a handsome property. He has attained the front rank of his profession ; and his extensive and increasing practice attests the estimation in which his legal ability and character are held. He is considered an acute, sound lawyer ; clear, forcible and argumentative in his manner of speaking, convincing a jury by the power of his intellect and legal acumen, rather than by an appeal to their sym- pathies or passions. Mr. Clark never married; but has lived thus far in life in a state of "single blessedness." In this particular, at least, he has ample room for improvement.
In politics Senator Clark was a Whig, and cast his first vote for General Harrison, of log-cabin and hard-cider memory. He remained in that party until its dissolution, and the rise of the Republican party on its ruins, to which organization he attached himself. He has never been an office-seeker, confining his attention wholly to the business of his profession, which accounts for his successful practice. His high standing in community, and his reputation as a lawyer, however, induced the Republicans of his district, in conjunction with Union Democrats and others, to place him in nomination for the State Senate ; and he was elected by a majority exceeding 8,000, the largest ever given in his district to any candidate.
Of Senator Clark's power as a Senatorial debater we can say nothing, as he never participates in the discussions of that body-probably for the reason that he would inevita- bly follow the bent of his genius, and present a dry, argumentative matter-of-fact speech, instead of a "high
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falutin " rigmarole of Buncombe eloquence. Be that as it may, he contents himself with working in the Committee room, or in perfecting bills when under consideration in the Committee of the Whole. He is a man of great sagacity and unwearied industry, and devotes the whole power of his mind to the performance of his duties. Hence, as a legislator, his services are invaluable; and if his example could be generally followed, we should have better, or at least more intelligible, laws; less speaking for political effect, and more of practical, honest legislation for the benefit of the people.
In person Senator Clark is of medium height and size, with black hair ; slightly bald on the crown of his head, and short whiskers somewhat mixed with gray. His eyes are dark, and his countenance is business-like and intelligent. He walks with a cane, rendered necessary by lameness in the leg, the cords of which seem to be almost entirely relaxed.
WILLIAM CLARK.
SENATOR CLARK is the successor of the late Hon. JOHN WILLARD, and was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of that distinguished gentleman. It is no dis- paragement to the present incumbent to say, that he cannot make good the loss of his estimable predecessor ; indeed, there are few men who can fill the void which his lamented death has occasioned in the Senatorial circle.
Judge Willard was no ordinary man. *5 Possessed of high
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legal attainments and great purity of character, his course was one of great usefulness, both in his profession and in pri- vate life. It was marked with every virtue that adorns human nature. His associates deeply feel the loss that their body sustained, and have passed resolutions of condolence on the solemn event. His example is before them-they can tread in his footsteps with profit and honor. He was one of the few men of whom it could have been said : " Mark the per- fect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."
Senator Clark was elected in November, 1862, by a ma- jority exceeding six thousand, over John M. Carroll, the Democratic candidate. He is a native of Cooperstown, Otsego county, N. Y., and is fifty-one years of age. He is of English descent. He was originally a Whig, then an American, and now a Republican. In politics he is active and energetic, always taking the position of leader in what- ever party he attaches himself to; and generally gains a good degree of popularity by his zeal and vigilance. He was a member of the Assembly in 1852, from Montgomery county, and has since been a candidate for member of Congress, but failed of success. He is ambitious to attain political distinction, and has great confidence in his ability to sustain himself in any position, but lacks the motive- power necessary to accelerate his onward course. Though a good business man, he has not the material to make a shining light in the political firmament. A laudable am- bition, unmarked by vain-glorious expectations, will gen- erally succeed; but even undoubted ability, if marred by conceit and arrogance, universally fails to reach the goal it aims at.
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Mr. Clark is engaged in the produce and transportation business in Fort Plain, where he resides. He has several times been elected Supervisor of the town of Minden ; has been a trustee of the village, and is now President of the Corporation. He is respected as a good citizen, and is a man of exemplary habits and character.
RICHARD B. CONNOLLY.
SENATOR CONNOLLY is now serving his second term in the Senate, having first been chosen a member of that body in 1859. His official career has demonstrated a superior order of representative ability, and while universally acknowledged to be a skillfully adroit and eminently successful politician, he has discharged his duties with honor alike to himself and his constituents. But few men, too, for many years, have brought a higher degree of personal popularity to the discharge of their Senatorial duties at Albany. His good-natured, clever, and agreeable disposition seldom fails to extort the praise and kind wishes of even his most uncompro- mising political opponents, and if unsuccessful in secur- ing a vote for a favorite project through the medium of the reason, he scarcely ever fails to accomplish the same end through his peculiarly quiet appeals to the heart.
Senator Connolly was born in Ireland, and is about forty-six years of age. He came to America when only
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about nineteen years old, and located in the city of New York, where he has always since resided. He had no superior education to recommend him to favor, but being a bright, active, good-looking, intelligent boy, was soon after his arrival, taken into the well known and exten- sive auction house of John Haggerty & Son, where he remained some ten years, and then went into the em- ployment of Simeon Draper, by whom he was valued very highly. In 1845 he was appointed a clerk in the Custom House, where he subsequently took charge of the Statistical Bureau, and while in that position was selected by the Collector, in connection with two other gentlemen, to make up and revise the tariff of 1842. In 1849 he left the Custom House, and receiving the ap- pointment of discount clerk in the Bank of North Ame- rica, remained there till 1852, when he was nominated and triumphantly elected as County Clerk by a majority of over eleven thousand. While holding this position he discharged his duties so well and satisfactorily, that he was re-nominated and elected in the fall of 1855 by over fifteen thousand majority.
A few days before the election the Sunday Times, in speaking of him, said :
"Mr. Connolly's friends have much reason to feel proud of their nominee, for amid all the storm and whirlwind of public suspicion, the crop of indictments for corruption, and the complaints for inefficiency against public officers, he, almost alone, stands forth untainted by the breath of distrust-the idol and the nominee of every branch of the great Democratic family."
Having left the position of County Clerk, Senator Con- nolly was brought forward in the fall of 1859 as the
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Democratic Candidate for Senator in the seventh district, and was triumphantly elected by about three thousand majority. During the session of the Legislature of 1860, he was a member of the standing committees on Canals, Privileges and Elections and Public Buildings, and also a member of the special committee to which was referred the Pro Rata and Railroad Toll bills, and as a minority of which he made one of the most able and elaborate reports of the session. He was again placed on all three of the above committees during the session of 1861, and the committee on Engrossed Bills, as well as on the select committee on Petitions for aid to the Albany and Susque- hanna Railroad.
When the fearful threatenings of disunion were first made, after the last Presidential election, Senator Connolly was among the first to rally to the support of the Govern- ment. While addressing the Senate on the subject, on the 19th of February, 1861, he said :
"Sir, I feel that an emergency so vast, a ruin so terrible as that now pending over the land of my adoption and most grateful love, demands at the hands of every patriotic man, whether Republican or Democrat, the sacrifice of his personal asperities, prejudices or mere theoretical opinions of a partisan nature, in order to save, reconstruct, and per- petuate that Union to which we are all indebted for the unexampled prosperity of this country in all its material relations and the public recognition of our glorious though infant flag among the proudest nationalities of the earth."
Again, on the 15th of April, after the fall of Fort Sumter, in explaining his vote on the volunteer bill, he said :
" Four times, Sir, have I been honored by the Democracy of the city and county of New York, by being elected to responsible and honorable positions, and, therefore, four times, at least, have I sworn to support the Constitution
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of the United States and that old flag. Sir, I shall support it now. (Great applause.) And by the blessings of God I hope that flag will yet wave, not only over the sixteen Northern States, but the Middle States and all the seceding, and that all may receive from it equal protection. Why, Sir, when we look back to the history of this country, in the early days of the Republic, there was no party then. Let there be no party now." (Renewed applause.)
The speeches from which these extracts are taken, were among the best delivered in the Senate during the session of 1861, and, though young in legislation, gave their author an enduring fame as a patriot.
Senator Connolly has always been a straight-forward and consistent Democrat, of the old-fashioned school, and was a delegate to the Young Men's General Com- mittee, and, also, to several nominating Conventions at Tammany Hall as early as 1836. He soon became one of the leading spirits of the "old seventh," and served as its constant representative in all the party councils and conventions. He has been among the most active workers in the Democratic General Committee, as well as in the Tammany Society of which he has been twice chosen a sachem. He is now a resident of the twenty- first ward, where he exercises the same ability and influ- ence for which he was so well known in the seventh ward.
Senator Connolly was re-elected to the present Senate by a handsome majority over two opposing candidates. With the aid of his experience during the two previous years in that body, he has been regarded by his legisla- tive associates of both political parties as a leader among them, during the last and present sessions, and has
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gathered many fresh laurels as a representative man. His speech in support of his bill, repealing the Church Property law of 1855, which passed both Houses through his own exertions, was among his finest production dur- ing the last session as will be readily seen by the fol- lowing brief extract :
"If I know myself, Mr. President, I am no fanatic in religion ; but knowing as I do the feelings and senti- ments of a large number of Catholics, I have long been impressed with the idea that no class of our fellow-citi- zens, native or adopted, are more loyal or patriotic, or feel more deeply the importance of preserving our Union and the free institutions that have grown up under it. Our adopted citizens have felt the oppression and tyranny of other forms of government, and the stability and perpetuity of this Republic is their only hope of ulti- mately unloosening the chains that fetter the limbs of their kindred and friends in the land of their birth."
Senator Connolly was married in 1837 to the eldest daughter of John Townsend, an old and respectable merchant in the city of New York, and is the head of an amiable and interesting family, of which he is justly proud. He is singularly genial as a companion, with no professional formality or reserve, and possesses a rich fund of anecdote and a sportive wit that always gives a pungent zest to his conversation. He is never with- out a hearty grasp for the hand hardened by toil, and whether a man's face is bronzed at the plow or bleached in the mill - whether he be clad in ruffles or in rags, he is sure to meet with a warm welcome and unosten- tatious reception when introduced to "Dick Connolly."
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CHARLES COOK.
SENATOR COOK is a man of great energy, sagacity and perseverance. Possessing these faculties in an eminent degree, it is not strange that he is the architect of his own fortune, having, by his personal efforts, conquered all diffi- culties, and acquired a property that almost entitles him to the title of "millionaire." The foundation of his fortune was laid in successful contracts for the construction of the Erie Canal, and, subsequently, improved by engagements on the public works. His great shrewdness, and thorough ac- quaintance with men, enabled him to judge accurately and to turn to advantage every facility that occurred. Hence his contracts were always remunerative, and in the end he retired from his labors with a very large portion of this world's goods.
Senator Cook was soon pointed out, by his knowledge of the canals, gained by being connected with their construc- tion, as a proper man to fill the office of Canal Commis- sioner. In that capacity he has served the State faithfully and well. His judgment and good sense, coupled with his practical knowledge of the public works, rendered him a valuable officer, and his efficiency in the Canal Board, and on the line of the canals, attests the wisdom indicated by his selection.
After his retirement from the Canal Board, he applied himself with energy to his domestic concerns, and entered zealously upon the work of improving the town in which he resides. He had aided largely in the formation of the county of Schuyler, and was lavish of his means for its
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growth and prosperity. In the contest for the county seat he was, of course, ardently in favor of fixing the location in the beautiful village of which he was a resident, and his superior sagacity and enterprise were ultimately rewarded with success. Havana became the county seat, and the public buildings-the fruit. of his enterprise-evince the liberality, taste, and wisdom of his plans. He has since done much to beautify the county seat he labored so hard to obtain. At his own expense he has built a neat church for the accommodation of the Episcopalians, of which de- nomination he is a worthy and active member. The Mon- tour House, a first-class hotel, is a splendid monument of his munificence and taste. The Bank of Havana also belongs to him, and he is interested in many kinds of busi- ness located in the village.
Since the location of the People's College in his vicin- ity, Senator Cook has entered largely into the plans for the promotion of the great objects which the founders of the institution had in view. He has already given largely of his means for its establishment, and it is understood that he intends to endow it still further from his private for- tune, when he shall be "gathered to his fathers." The munificent bequest of $300,000 is said to be the sum that he has determined to bestow upon this noble work.
Senator Cook has succeeded, by his tact, good sense and ability, in gaining a good degree of influence in the Senate. He is a practical, common-sense man, and his natural ability, sound judgment and clear perception, enables him to comprehend and grapple any subject which is brought before the Senate-to expose its fallacy or elucidate its merits with great perspicuity and force. As a debater he
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is not a man of words merely, but a close reasoner - logical and convincing. He is not eloquent, but his per- suasive powers are great, and with a few words, modestly delivered, he sets a subject so clearly before his auditors that he that runs may read and understand.
Politically, he is a Republican - ardent and sincere. He was an active member of the old Whig party, but after its dissolution, aided in the organization of the Republican party, by which he was chosen to his present position. Though decided in his political opinions,. he never allows party considerations to warp his judgment, but acts honestly, independently, and with an eye single to the public interest. He has accomplished great good in his day and generation, and in his death will surely not be forgotten. His deeds will live in the memory of his countrymen long after the marble that will mark his resting-place shall have crumbled back to dust.
CHARLES G. CORNELL.
SENATOR CORNELL is a gentleman of prepossessing ap- pearance and manners, of good form, and apparent robust health. His age is thirty-six, having first opened his eyes on this globe of ours, in the city of New York, on the 12th of February, 1827. Though never before a member of the State Legislature, he was not without legislative experience when he entered upon his duties in the Senate, having been several years a member of the Common Council and Board of Aldermen in the city of New York, and for some
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time President of the former body. These bodies, it is well known, transact more business than many of our State Legislatures, and form an excellent school in the rudiments of legislation. Here he distinguished himself as a man of great readiness and boldness - always respectful, and sel- dom, if ever, failing in an encounter with older and more experienced legislators.
In politics Senator Cornell is a Democrat of the Tammany order, and for several years has been a member of the General Committee. His father was a staunch Jeffersonian Democrat, and from him the son learned his political creed. He is open, fearless, straight-forward, turning neither to the right nor the left, but pursuing a consistent, honest course, adhering strictly to party usages, and obeying party man- dates. But, though a " straight out " party adherent, he is far from being illiberal ; and accords to all who differ with him the same privilege that he exercises, and deports him- self to friends and opponents, alike honorably, liberally and justly.
When the present civil war broke out, Senator Cornell was one of the first who offered his services to the Govern- ment. He had previously held a commission in the Eighth Regiment of N. Y. S. M., and with his companions volun- teered to go the seat of war. He accompanied his regiment to Washington, thence to Virginia, and was a participator in the battle of Bull Run, in July, 1861. On that bloody and disastrous field, he distinguished himself for his coolness and courage, and was honored with a commendatory notice from the Commander-in-Chief.
In the Senate he has never figured much as a speaker, participating in discussion only when positive necessity
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requires it. As a debater he never uses a superfluity of words, but confines himself to plain common-sense argu- ments, which never fail to make a deep impression ou his hearers. In his manner he is cool and collected, never indulging in flights of the imagination, but taking a matter- of-fact view of the subject in hand. His voice is full, rich and well modulated. Though rapid in his utterance, he enunciates clearly and distinctly, so that he is well under- stood - a habit that more distinguished speakers might copy with advantage. In fact, he is a useful, practical man ; and such kind of men make the best legislators.
Senator Cornell is a married man. He attends the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is liberal in his religious opinions. In person he is above the medium height, has straight black hair, deep blue eyes, smooth face, with the exception of a goatee on the chin, a pleasant expression of countenance, with a courteous and affable manner.
LYSANDER FARRAR.
SENATOR FARRAR was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, in 1814, and is now about forty-nine years old. He is of English descent. His father, Josiah Farrar, died in April, 1824, at the age of fifty two, and he was thus left, when about ten years old, in charge of his mother to shape his course, and fit him for the active duties of manhood ; and well she performed her task. She saw him through his academical and professional studies, and lived to witness his rapid progress in busi-
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ness, occupying a high position in society, and honored with the confidence of the community among whom he lived. She died at the ripe old age of eighty-one, at the house of her son in Rochester, in March, 1860.
Senator Farrar fitted for college at Union Academy, Belleville, Jefferson county, and graduated at Union College in 1836. He was educated in reference to the practice of law, and studied his profession in the office of the late Samuel Stevens, Esq., in the city of Albany. On finishing his law studies he located at Rochester, where he has ever since remained in the practice of the duties of his profession. In this he has been successful, having attained the front rank, with a reputation for honesty, integrity and ability, that gives him a com- manding influence in community.
Not being an aspirant for office, Senator Farrar has, hitherto, held only local positions in his own city, such as supervisor and alderman, which places he has honor- ably filled. He was married in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, in 1839, to Miss Melissa M. Keyes, of that vil- lage. In religious matters he worships with the Pres- byterians. Of a social temperament, calm and quiet, he prefers the genial pursuits of his own profession, to that of the rancor and turmoil of political life. In per- son he is of medium height, dignified in bearing, not ungraceful in his manners, with expressive dark eyes, an intelligent countenance, thick dark brown hair and whiskers slightly intermixed with gray; and on the whole, passes for a good looking man.
Senator Farrar early attached himself to the Dem- ocratic party, and acted with and sustained the Dem- *6
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ocracy until the Kansas difficulties broke out, and President Buchanan had developed his policy in regard to that Territory. Not deemning the measures of the President wise or just, and it seeming incumbent on the party to indorse his acts, as its supreme head, he went over to the Republicans, and, in the last Presidential campaign, advocated the election of Abraham Lincoln. His talents and efficiency soon rendered him promi- nent among his new friends ; and, on the organization of the Union party, in the fall of 1861, he received the nomination of Senator. His general integrity, and free- dom from partisan rancor, induced other parties to acquiesce in the nomination, and he consequently re- ceived the unanimous vote of his district.
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