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 5
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Senator Farrar occupies the place of Chairman of the Committee on Cities and Villages, which is an arduous position, requiring a great deal of labor, patience and investigation, to examine and decide upon the various propositions submitted ; and nice discrimination to de- termine between measures asked to advance private interests, and those demanded by public exigency. In this difficult task he has exercised a sound judgment, evinced a disposition to guard well the public interest, while he carefully respected that of private citizens which came before him. All his duties are discharged conscientiously, with an eye to the welfare of the State, and the duty he owes to his constituents.
Senator Farrar is a good debater, and though de- liberate is never at a loss for words. He enunciates clearly and distinctly, and is easy, though forcible in his manner, He does not make long speeches, but on all
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questions presents the subject plausibly, ably and clearly wasting no words in attempts at flashy eloquence, but elucidating the matter in hand perspicuously, with ability, and to the understanding of his hearers. He is always brief, comprehensive and convincing, and his argument tells with effect. In his manner he is calm and quiet, gesticulating but little, but emphasizing with discrimination and power. None who hear him are at a loss to know where he stands, and what his views are. He speaks to be understood, and hence always com- mands attention.
Senator Farrar is emphatically a Union man. He pursued his preliminary studies at Union Academy ; his collegiate course at Union College ; was nominated Senator by the Union party, and elected by a Union of all parties. The Union, therefore, seems to have a strong claim upon his services, and he responds cheer- fully and cordially to whatever pertains to the cause of the Union.
CHARLES J. FOLGER.
SENATOR FOLGER is a native of Nantucket, Massa- chusetts, and was born in the year 1818, and is there- fore in the forty-fifth year of his age. He received the advantages of a good primary education in the district school and academy, and graduated in Geneva College, N. Y. Soon after he left college he commenced the study of the law, and, on being admitted to practice,
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located in Ontario county, where lie still remains. He married in 1844. In religion he is orthodox, and is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but, following the lead of Silas Wright, he became a Barnburner-as the rad- ical wing of the Democratic party was termed. When the Republican party was organized, he naturally slid into its ranks, with a large proportion of the Barn- burner Democrats, and is now a leading and prominent member of the party. He fully sustains the Emanci- pation policy of the President, and cordially indorses the measures of his administration. He advocates a vigorous, determined prosecution of the war, until the rebels shall unconditionally submit to the Government.
Senator Folger has been eminently successful as a practitioner of the law, and stands in the front rank of the profession. His reputation is not confined to his own village or county, but he is well and favorably known all over the western part of the State, and his services are eagerly sought for far and wide. He has held the position of Judge of Ontario county, and at- tained the character of an able and upright judge, of strict impartiality and great legal ability.
In person Mr. Folger is of ordinary height, good figure, and dignified in his appearance. He has light brown hair, rather thin ; blue eyes ; smooth face-repu- diating whiskers, with a well-shaped head, particularly developed in the organs of conscientiousness and firm- ness. He is rather grave in his demeanor, but, when excited by the subject of conversation, or discussion, he becomes animated, and his eye beams with an expres-
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sion that, in its vividness, indicates the possessor as be- longing rather to the " Sunny South " than to the mere plodding dwellers in the frigid North. In all matters of business he is active, determined and industrious- leaving no legitimate means untried to effect his pur- pose. In his general intercourse with the world he is not over social, but rather reserved ; but this is rather the effect of his temperament than a natural disinclina- tion to mingle with the multitude. He is, nevertheless, a popular man-the effect of his incorruptible integrity and honorable and manly bearing.
In debate Mr. Folger is sound, logical, forcible and eloquent. His words are well chosen, and he utters them with great distinctness and precision. He is rather deliberate, yet not a slow speaker, and every word he utters is well understood. He never makes a mistake, but presents every point clearly and lucidly, so that all who hear him can readily comprehend and un- derstand his argument. He addresses himself to the judgment of his hearers, never indulging in flights be- yond the ken of his auditory, nor belittling reason and common-sense by the utterance of rhapsodical mum- mery. In fine, he is a man of genius and talents, the leading man of his party in the Senate, and worthy of the confidence reposed in him. His constituents are well served, and they may say of him at the close of his term, " Well done, good and faithful servant."
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JACOB S. FREER.
SENATOR FREER is a physician of extensive practice, and resides in the town of Ellenville, Ulster county, N. Y. He is a native of the same county, and was born in the town of Marbletown in 1824. Having gone through the requisite course of studies, he graduated at the Geneva Medical College in 1846, at the age of twenty-two. He soon afterwards located at Blooming- burgh, Sullivan county, where he continued about two years, doing a fair business, when he removed to Ellen- ville, a very flourishing town in his native county. In this town he has pursued his regular business success- fully, and has gained an enviable reputation in his pro- fession. He has also been honored with many tokens of respect and confidence, from the citizens of his town and county. Besides holding town offices, he was elected member of the Assembly in the fall of 1851, and took a prominent stand in that body, against the confirmation of the Canal lettings, under the nine million Constitu- tional amendment of that day - taking the ground that the contracts were fraudulent and corrupt.
Senator Freer has always been a Democrat, and when the party divided, some years ago, he took ground with the Barnburners, without however, adopting all the radical notions of that wing of the Democracy. When the Republican party was organized, he refused to surrender or repudiate his Democratic principles, as did many of his associates; but remained with his old friends, instead of coalescing with Whigs and Aboli-
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tionists in a new political experiment. Nor did he join in the Union movement, consequent upon the general outbreak of patriotism at the commencement of the present desolating and unnatural war.
In the fall of 1861, Senator Freer received the Demo- cratic nomination for State Senator, and was opposed by Hon. Theodoric R. Westbrook, who was nominated by the Union Democrats and Republicans. Mr. West- brook had previously represented his district in Con- gress, as a Democrat, and was an advocate and exponent of the principles of Judge Douglas, sustaining with much zeal the Kansas-Nebraska bill of that distinguished Sen- ator. Notwithstanding the legislative experience of his opponent, however, and his identification with, and support of the leading measures of a Democratic National Administration, Senator Freer was elected by a majority of four hundred and eighteen, though the Union State ticket polled a majority of about five hundred in the dis- trict. This result was a tribute to his personal worth, as well as an approval of the consistency of his political course. It is proper also, to state, as a demonstration of the good feeling of his townsmen towards him, that whilst the Union State ticket received a majority of one hundred and eighty in the town, his majority on the Democratic ticket, was two hundred and seventy-five. No better evidence of a man's sterling worth can be given, than such an expression from his immediate neighborhood.
Senator Freer is a useful, working Senator, and doubt- less accomplishes as much for his constituents or the State at large, as did any of his more eloquent prede-
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cessors. His district has been heretofore represented by Hon. George T. Pierce, M. Schoonmaker and Geo .. W. Pratt; but neither of these gentlemen, have better served their constituents, although two of them were able and eloquent debaters. The third was like the present, purely unostentatious, but practical. He laid down his life for his country, and has gone to his re- ward. Senator Freer seldom mingles in debate, but when he does speak he is brief, comprehensive and con- clusive. Every word that he utters tells on the subject in hand, as he thinks before he speaks.
As a Senator, he has the entire confidence of his , brethren, as a man of honesty, integrity and industry. He possesses indomitable energy and firmness, never shrinking from his duty, or fearing to meet any question that may arise. In his political feelings he is ardent, firm and reliable, though not illiberal. He is not so wedded to party as to do an unjust act to further its objects, but decides all matters before him on the prin- ciple of right. Hence he is greatly respected by men of all parties, and has an influence far above, and be- yond, that of a partisan character.
JOHN GANSON.
SENATOR GANSON is one of the most prepossessing men in the Senate, both in his personal appearance and the general tone of his character. He is somewhat above the medium height, straight, active, and well-
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formed, and has a brisk, energetic gait, which is strongly significant of his firm and decisive character. His nose is delicate and well formed, his forehead, which is ren- dered ample by an agreeable baldness, bold and promi- nent ; his mouth by no means devoid of humor, and his eye, which is deep blue, intensely brilliant and as clear as the morning star. When he looks at a man it seems as though he were going, literally, to read him through and through, and no amount of oily duplicity, no brazen effrontery, no studied concealment, could avail anything before his keen, penetrating glance. It is an eye to make all rogues tremble, and even honest men, when under its influence, look about them to be sure that they have not been unwittingly engaged in some mis- chief.
Senator Ganson is of Dutch and Scotch descent, and was born in Le Roy, Genesee county, N. Y., in 1818. This is the first official position he ever held. He has always persistently refused to allow his name to be pre- sented to the people as a candidate, and his nomination for Senator was conferred upon him without his know- ledge or consent. Two committees were selected by the convention to apprise him of his nomination, but, although he stated distinctly to both of them that he would not, under any circumstances, accept the distinc- tion, the last appointed informed the convention that he had consented to accept, and his nomination was accord- ingly ratified, and his election triumphantly secured. Finding himself thus unavoidably placed before the people, he made a short speech, defining his position on the war, and sustaining the Administration in a suc- 7
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cessful suppression of the rebellion ; but beyond this he did nothing whatever to secure his election, although his opponent, who was one of the most popular men in the district, labored zealously to secure his own triumph. At the last election, Mr. Ganson was brought forward with great unanimity as a candidate for Congress, and was triumphantly elected in a district hitherto strongly Republican.
As a lawyer Senator Ganson ranks high among the most eminent legal minds in the State. He is accurate and well read, and though belonging to the political minority in the Senate, has rendered the State great service by checking unnecessary legislation, and pre- venting impolitic innovations. His perceptive faculties are as keen as a brier. He invariably scents instinctive- ly " the nigger" in a measure of questionable propriety, and, as his straight-forward, manly and independent conduct on all occasions indicates, cherishes a supreme contempt for all manner of combinations, log-rolling, and class-legislation, which is, to an unusual degree, a distinguishing characteristic of the present Legislature. Although a Democrat, of the conservative school, he is never embarrassed in a free and conscientious discharge of his duties by party drill or influences, and shapes his official conduct entirely by a desire to legislate for the State rather than mere sections or parties. He is justly classed among the foremost orators of the Senate, and always speaks clearly and forcibly, but seldom ad- dresses that body at any considerable length.
Senator Ganson is a man of family, and occupies a . deservedly high position in all the relations of private life.
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GEORGE A. HARDIN.
SENATOR HARDIN is one of the youngest men in the Senate, and has outstripped in point of age even Mr. Sew- ard, who, when first a member of the Senate, was the youngest man ever chosen to that body. He was born of Anglo-Scotch parentage, on the 17th of August, 1832, in the town of Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., and is now a resident of Little Falls in that county. His father, Col. Joseph Hardin, is still living, as is also his mother, and both his grandparents, all of whom sustain a high and respectable position in the commu- nity where they reside.
Senator Hardin was educated under the tuition of the venerable Dr. Nott, at Union College, Schenectady, where he graduated with distinction in 1852. He immediately entered upon a course of legal training, and was admitted to the bar in 1854. His success in his profession, which thus far has exceeded the most reasonable expectations of himself and friends, is, per- haps, the strongest evidence of his ability and future success as a lawyer. He was appointed District Attor- ney in January, 1858, by Gov. King, was elected by the people in the fall of the same year, and held the position until the commencement of his Senatorial term, having discharged his official duties in the most credita- ble and satisfactory manner.
Politically, he was formerly a Republican, but at the outbreak of the present rebellion his patriotism led him far beyond all party considerations, and he was triumph- antly elected by a large majority to the seat he now
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occupies, as the candidate of the Union movement in his district. His course in the Senate has exhibited the strongest evidences of mature intellect and a sound, discriminating judgment, and although modest and somewhat distrustful of his ability to cope successfully with his superiors in age and legislative experience, he has mingled somewhat freely in the debates of that body, and has seldom failed to secure the good opinion of all those who have had the pleasure to listen to his well-timed and convincing remarks. As a speaker, he is calm and dispassionate - deliberate in thought and careful in expression, and never attempts to address the Senate without a thorough understanding of the subject under discussion, speaking thoughts rather than words, and aiming to convince rather than simply please his legislative peers. To these qualities are added a dig- nified, senatorial bearing, and an easy, graceful style of gesticulation, with an entire absence of that theatrical uplifting of the hands and uprolling of the eyes which has latterly become so prevalent in the hysteric raptures of mahogany orators.
Senator Hardin is endowed by nature with a pre- possessing personal appearance. He is of medium stature, elegantly and well formed, with intelligent blue eyes, light hair and goatee, rather pale complexion, and a good natured, mild and agreeable expression of coun- tenance which makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact. He is still single, and attends the Episcopal church.
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MONROE HENDERSON.
The vacant seat of SENATOR HENDERSON constantly re- minds us of the fact that his colleagues have lost a frank and manly peer, and his constituents a bold and fearless champion. Like scores of other men in this country he doubtless erred when he turned aside from his quiet pursuits as a merchant to mingle in the stormy and ex- citing arena of party politics. Ambitious, and possess- ing the ability and means to gratify that ambition, his success was at once insured when he had consented to become a candidate for office. But, possessing marked ability, energetic in action, and excitable in tempera- ment, with a body weakened by too close application to business, the labors and excitement of a political cam- paign were too much for his physical and intellectual constitution to endure. Although able to take his seat at the opening of the last Legislature, his zeal for the interests of his constituents only caused him to partici- pate so actively in the proceedings of the Senate that he still grew speedily worse, and was soon compelled to abandon his legislative duties entirely.
Senator Henderson is a native of Watertown, Jeffer- son county, N. Y., and is forty-three years of age. He is of Scotch extraction, and a lineal descendant of Pre- sident Monroe. His father, Thomas Monroe Hender- son, who came from Scotland, died some years since, as did also his mother, whose maiden name was Haw- kins, and whose father was a member of Washington's Life Guard during the Revolution. *7
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Senator Henderson was educated at Clinton Liberal Institute, in Oneida county, and in 1842 removed to Long Island. He began active life in the city of New York as a clerk in the extensive silk establishment of Peck, Bloodgood & Co. He was subsequently with Gidney, Bladgfield & Co., and afterwards went into the house of Fisher, Cushing & Co., where he finally became a partner under the name of Fisher, Cushing & Henderson. He remained in business some four years, abandoning it in consequence of ill health, and during the past ten years has been living a retired life. He took a trip to Kansas in 1856, and was absent about a year. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay, and since the abandon- ment of that party has been a conservative Republican. He must necessarily be a man of great personal and political popularity, representing, as he does, a strong Democratic district, and it is a remarkable fact that although the Democratic candidates in the county of Queens, where he resides, were elected by nearly two thousand majority, he carried the county by a majority at the last election.
Senator Henderson is a tall, slender man, well-pro- portioned, and is altogether personable, not to say pre- possessing in his personal appearance. He is near- sighted, wearing glasses ; has dark gray eyes; neatly trimmed black whiskers all over his face; and a face whose finely-formed features indicate the refined and intelligent gentleman.
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ALMANZOR HUTCHINSON.
SENATOR HUTCHINSON was born in Remsen, Oneida county, in 1810, and is of Scotch-Welch extraction. He was bred and remains a farmer. His parents were natives of Connecticut, and settled in Oneida county about the commencement of the present century. In 1816 they removed into what is now Orleans, then Genesee county, and located on the same farm that their son now improves. His father died in 1820, when he was only ten years old, by which sad event the duty of fitting him for the great business of life, devolved upon his mother. After going through the course usu- ally taught in the district schools, he was sent to an academy where he spent some time in perfecting his studies, preparatory to undertaking the arduous duties of teaching; to which task he devoted the winter sea- son for several years, working on the farm in the sum- mer. He was a member of the Assembly in 1857, '58 and '59, and proved himself a capable and efficient legis- lator. In politics he was, formerly, a Whig ; afterwards a prominent Liberty man; and is now an earnest and influential Republican. He married Miss Mary G. Short in 1845, and is a member of the Congregational church.
In person Senator Hutchinson is above medium height, large boned, rather spare, somewhat muscular, with large, coarse features. His hair is brown and rather thin ; his whiskers modest. In his manners and dress he is plain, and in his mode of speaking, unassum- ing. He enunciates clearly ; and without any apparent effort is distinctly heard in every part of the Senate
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Chamber or Assembly. Scarcely any question is mooted, giving rise to debate, in which he does not participate ; and though he never makes a labored effort, he generally throws a good deal of light on the subject in hand. He speaks easy, is always ready and always understood. He attempts no oratorical flight, but is a plain matter- of-fact speaker, contenting himself with stating and en- forcing his argument in language easily comprehended, and not liable to be misinterpreted or misapplied. A pleasant vein of humor runs through his remarks, giv. ing zest to the discussion, and relieving his hearers from the tedium generally experienced, when one in the habit of "much speaking " has the floor. Though he speaks often what he says is to the purpose, and when he is done he has the good sense to-stop.
While in the Assembly, Mr. Hutchinson served, in 1857, on the Committee on Public Lands ; in 1858 on that of Colleges and Academies, and in 1859 was Chair- man of the Committee on Canals, one of the most im- portant committees in the House. Since he has been a member of the Senate he has occupied the position of Chairman of the Committee on the Manufacture of Salt.
Senator Hutchinson is, emphatically, a working man, and his Senatorial course will be recorded as one of great industry, energy and usefulness. Possessing un- common natural sagacity, he is not liable to be deceived as to measures, nor by the art often resorted to, to change the character of a bill by a doubtful or complex phraseology, which is intended to read plausibly, but to deceive surely. He is generally correct in his interpre- tation of language, and does not fail to detect any
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attempt to mystify, or conceal the real object in view. He advocates or opposes any measure with the same earnestness, and seems to legislate for the public wel- fare only. He is always busy, giving close attention to the duties imposed upon him, whether in the committee room or in his place in the Senate. It may truly be said of him that, though neither eloquent nor learned, he makes no pretension to exhibit himself for more than he really is, either in his person or of his attainments ; and notwithstanding he is deficient in the art of appearing to better advantage than he deserves, he nevertheless possesses the best qualifications for a useful Senator, that of sterling common sense. With this gift he is largely endowed; and hence what he lacks in outward show, is more than made up by substantial service.
RUSSELL M. LITTLE.
SENATOR LITTLE was born in Peru, Berkshire county, Mass., on the 28th of December, 1809. He is of mixed English and Scotch descent. It does not appear that. he had any ancestor on board the Mayflower when that far-famed vessel anchored at Plymouth Rock, strange as that omission may seem in the genealogy of a native of Massachusetts, neither is it understood that any of his paternal grandparents were distinguished officers in the Revolution; but notwithstanding these apparent mis- fortunes, he can doubtless boast a highly respectable and intelligent lineage.
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Senator Little was one of the young men annually sent forth by the old Bay State to fill pulpits and learned professorships throughout the Union. He was educated at Wilbraham, Mass., as a minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, in 1831, located at Columbiaville, Columbia county, N. Y. Here he remained eleven years in the discharge of his pastoral duties, when, in consequence of a pulmonary disease, resulting, in a great degree, from the arduous tax of his professional labors, he withdrew, to the regret of his friends, from the ministry, and was soon after appointed Secretary of the Dividend Mutual Insurance Company at Glen's Falls, which position he occupied until his election to the seat he now fills in the Senate. He was Chairman of the Committee on Insurance Companies during the last session of the Legislature, and his labors, in a branch of business to which he is so thoroughly accustomed, have proven satisfactory to himself and all parties con- cerned. Politically, he originally belonged to the old line Whig party until the extinction of that organiza- tion, when, like many Northern men of similar political sentiments, he became identified with the Republican movement, from which party he was chosen to the Senate by a large majority against a thorough Demo- cratic opponent. Heretofore, however, he has been noted rather as a quiet, inoffensive citizen than as a politician of any prominence. He is conscientious in the discharge of his duties in the Senate, and in comparison with some other members of that body, may be said to be very watchful of State interests. He cannot be called a brilliant orator and seldom speaks at
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