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 8
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Though plain and blunt in his manners, and unmerci- fully ferocious in his abuse of the King's English, Sena- tor Truman, nevertheless, speaks to the purpose, and is generally well understood. In debate, he is extremely awkward, using his right arm constantly, with a pen or pencil in his hand, but with a motion anything but grace- ful. He has, also, an inveterate habit of scratching his head, when puzzled with a problem that he cannot readily solve, or an idea that he cannot lucidly express ; and when he is pushed into a corner, which is not often the case, his contortions and scratching operations excite the merriment of his associates, in which, generally, he has the good sense to laugh as heartily as any of them. In debate he sometimes " brings down the House" by a homely and unscientific thrust, which, nevertheless, goes direct to some vulnerable spot in the argument of an opponent, whom he thus effectually prostrates. At home the Senator has long been honored with the cog- nomen of "Davy Crockett," as significant of his char- acter for independence, honesty, go-aheaditiveness, and contempt for scholastic attainments. But with all his plainness and honesty he is inordinately vain -not of his good looks or costume, for of these, as has been said, he is utterly indifferent, but of the correctness of his judgment in business and political matters, and the position he occupies. Whatever he says is right-in his own opinion, and his conclusions cannot well be re- moved. He regards himself as a Mentor, to whom all must bow with profound deference and respect. Of his position, he is sure to remind Senators, about once a week, that he is now on his third term, or in his fifth
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or sixth year; and this is a distinction of which he may well be proud. He represents an intelligent constitu- ency, and if they are willing to bear with his oddities and humors, it is because they know him to be reliable, industrious and attentive to their interests-not caring for the imperfections of his demeanor, or speech, but looking only to the benefits they secure through his energy and perseverance.
Senator Truman was married January 10, 1838, to Miss Emily Goodrich, by whom he has three children. His family attend the Congregational church. He is a man of sterling integrity and untiring energy-upright and honorable in all his dealings, and possessing the entire confidence of the community in which he lives. He has done much for the village and town of Owego, and when " he goes hence, to be here no more forever," the present generation, " their children and their chil- dren's children," will remember with veneration and respect the honored name of LYMAN TRUMAN.
CHRISTIAN B. WOODRUFF.
This gentleman is the best looking man in the Senate, being tall, well proportioned, with thick, curly hair, black and glossy as the raven's wing; a large, black, luminous, good-natured eye ; smooth face and jet black mustache. His countenance is expressive and intelli- gent ; and altogether he is such an one as the fair delight to entangle in their meshes, and compel to worship at
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their shrine. But-he is married ! and the smiles and blandishments of beauty, if lavished upon him are irre- trievably lost; he is effectually beyond the reach of ambitious mothers and aspiring daughters.
Senator Woodruff was born in the city of New York in 1829, and is therefore in his thirty-fourth year. His father's family were from New Jersey, and his mother's from New York. He has been three times elected to the Assembly, and served in that body with great credit to himself and his constituents, who have fully appre- ciated his worth. In 1859 he was a member of the Committee on Privileges and Elections ; in 1860, of the Committees on the Militia, the Erection and Division of Towns and Counties, and the Select Committee on the Excise law ; in 1861 of the committees on Ways and Means, and the Incorporation of Cities and Villages. On, all these committees, and in the general duties of the House, he has been diligent, active and laborious, and has proved himself to be one of the best working mem- bers of that body. Although he can speak, he is not afflicted with the talking mania-an evil that engulfs so many vain and ambitious legislators in a vortex from whence they never emerge. He husbands his resources, and, by the exercise of watchfulness and prudence, is enabled to discriminate wisely, act judiciously, and by proper vigilance and energy accomplish the purpose he has in view. He is, in fine, a good legislator.
In the fall of 1861 Senator Woodruff was elected a member of the Senate on the Democratic ticket, by the immense majority of eleven thousand, out of eleven thou- sand nine hundred and eighty-seven votes polled. The
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Union candidate against him, Francis R. Tillon, Esq., re- ceived only nine hundred and eighty-six votes, showing the great popularity of Mr. Woodruff, and the entire satisfac- tion that his legislative course inspired. In the Senate he fully sustains the reputation he won in the Assembly, as an industrious, energetic and successful working member.
Senator Woodruff has always been firmly and consis- tently attached to the Democratic party, never swerving to the right nor to the left, to adopt any ism that might bubble to the surface of the political cauldron; nor be deluded from his course by the sophism of a treacherous political leader. He is a straight-forward, honest politician, guided by the light of truth as it strikes his mental vision, and pursuing his onward way with an eye single to the honor and success of his party. He wields a strong influ- ence throughout the district which he represents, and deservedly so, as he is a gentleman of superior personal qualifications, high sense of honor and undeviating integ. rity. The attachment of his friends and associates to him are strong and unyielding ; and he implicitly regards his obligations, never failing in the performance of a task that he undertakes, if within the compass of human possibility. This is the secret of his success and power ; the man who is true to his friends seldom makes enemies, and renders his friends true to him.
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HORACE C. YOUNG.
SENATOR YOUNG is of English extraction, and was born in the town of Smithfield, Madison county, N. Y. His father was a native of Martha's Vineyard, Massa- chusetts. His mother, whose maiden name was Philena Kellog, was born and reared in Western New York. Mr. Young began life with a good plain English educa- tion, sufficient to enable him to engage in any kind of business that he chose to select. He was educated in Fenner, Madison county, without reference to any pro- fession, but his peculiar talent inclined him to mechanical employment. After leaving school, therefore, and having fitted himself for the practical duties of life, he commenced his career as a builder; and after some years of unremitting industry, he attained a good deal 'of celebrity, as a thorough-going and successful me- chanic. He was always prompt and up to time in performing his contracts, and his work was always well done. He also gained a high reputation as an Architect, and was called upon, far and near, for service in this branch of industry. He drew the plans and specifica- tions for the State House in Minnesota, which, in every respect, is a noble specimen of his architectural taste and judgment, and is admirably adapted for the use for which it was designed. He has also been the Architect of several churches, and other public edifices, and rail- road bridges, all of which have given entire satisfaction.
Senator Young has filled several offices in his town New Albion, Cattaraugus county, such as Justice of the
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Peace, Supervisor, and other places. In 1849, and again in 1850, he was a member of Assembly from Cattaraugus county, and gained a good reputation as a safe and honest legislator. He was a member of the old Whig party so long as it had an existence, and on its demise he transferred his allegiance to the new Republican organization, and is now one of its representatives in the Senate. He is a de- cided and firm man in his political creed, but is not a strong partisan.
Senator Young was married in Cazenovia on the 19th of January, 1831, to Miss Laura P., daughter of the late Gideon Walker, one of the defenders of Fort Niagara in the war of 1812, who was killed by the English at the storm- ing of the fort. Some years since he retired from business, and has turned his attention to farming, with great success. In matters of religion he is liberal, ever ready to attend to, and succor, the wants of the poor and the afflicted, which we have high authority for saying is essential to a pure reli- gious life.
In the community in which he lives, Senator Young stands deservedly high as a substantial and reliable man. He is swayed entirely by principles of right, and never allows political asperities to interfere with his social duties. Energetic, industrious, and strictly honest, he has forced his way in the world, and his good name rests upon a basis that cannot be shaken.
In the discharge of his duties in the Senate he exhibits sterling integrity and unwavering honesty. He is not a speaker, in the common acceptation of the term, but he, nevertheless, makes himself clearly understood when cir- cumstances render it necessary for him to participate in 11
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debate. He is sure never to speak unless he has something to say ; and his remarks are always brief, to the purpose, and marked with good sense and sound judgment. He is emphatically a working man, and when he retires from his duties in the Senate Chamber he will have the conscious- ness of knowing, and feeling, that he has left nothing undone to advance the interests of his constituents, and the welfare of the State.
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.
Number of their respective Districts, and the Counties and Wards composing the same.
LIEUT .- GOVERNOR DAVID R. FLOYD JONES, Amity ville, Queens Co.
Dist. Counties and Wards. Senators.
1. Suffolk, Queens, and Richmond counties Monroe Henderson.
2. 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 13th, and 19th wards of Brooklyn .... Jesse C. Smith.
3. 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th wards of Brooklyn .. Henry C. Murphy.
4. 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 14th wards of New York .... Christian B. Woodruff.
5. 10th, 11th, 13th, and 17th wards of New York. Charles G. Cornell.
6. 9th, 15th, 16th, and 18th wards of New York. John J. Bradley.
7. 12th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22d wards of New York ... Richard B. Connolly.
8. Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties . Hezekiah D. Robertson.
9. Orange and Sullivan Henry R. Low.
10. Ulster and Greene Jacob S. Freer.
11. Dutchess and Columbia William H. Tobey.
12. Rensselaer and Washington Ralph Richards.
13. Albany John V. L. Pruyn.
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14. Delaware, Schoharie, and Schenec-
tady .. Joseph H. Ramsey.
15. Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, and Hamilton ..
16. Warren, Essex, and Clinton.
17. St Lawrence and Franklin
18. Jefferson and Lewis.
19. Oneida
20. Herkimer and Otsego
21. Oswego
22. Onondaga.
Allen Munroe.
23. Madison, Chenango, and Cortland .. Henry A. Clark.
24. Tompkins, Tioga, and Broome Lyman Truman.
25. Wayne and Cayuga.
26. Ontario, Yates, and Seneca.
27. Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben 28. Monroe
29. Niagara, Orleans, and Genesee.
Almanzor Hutchinson.
30. Wyoming, Livingston, and Allegany Wilkes Angel.
31, Erie John Ganson.
32. Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Horace C. Young.
William Clark.
Russell M. Little.
Charles C. Montgomery. James A. Bell.
Alexander H. Bailey.
George A. Hardin.
Richard K. Sanford.
Chauncey M. Abbott.
Charles J. Folger.
Charles Cook.
Lysander Farrar.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SENATORS.
The Counties in which they reside, their Post Office Address, and Politics.
Name of Senators.
Counties.
P. O. Address.
Politics.
Monroe Henderson
Queens
Jamaica.
Dem.
Jesse C. Smith. Kings.
Brooklyn. Rep.
Henry C. Murphy .
Kings
Brooklyn. Dem.
Christian B. Woodruff
New York
New York Dem.
New York . . New York. Dem.
New York. . New York Dem.
New York.
New York Dem.
Henry R. Low
Sullivan
Monticello Rep.
Jacob S. Freer .
Ulster.
Ellenville. Dem.
William H. Tobey
Columbia
Kinderhook. Rep.
Ralph Richards.
Washington. .. Hampton Rep.
John V. L. Pruyn
Albany.
Albany . Dem.
Joseph H. Ramsey.
Schoharie
Lawyersville. Rep
William Clark.
Montgomery ..
Fort Plain Rep.
Russell M. Little
Warren. .
Glen's Falls. . Rep.
Charles C. Montgomery ..
St. Lawrence .
Waddington Rep.
James A. Bell.
Jefferson.
Dexter Rep.
Alexander H. Bailey
Oneida
Rome Rep.
George A Hardin
Richard K. Sanford
Oswego
Fulton. Rep.
Allen Munroe
Onondaga.
Syracuse Rep.
Henry A. Clark.
Chenango
Bainbridge. Rep.
John J. Bradley
Richard B. Connolly
Hezekiah D. Robertson
Charles G. Cornell
Westchester
Bedford. Rep.
Herkimer Little Falls Rep.
11*
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Lyman Truman Tioga
Owego. Rep.
Chauncey M. Abbott.
Cayuga
Niles
Rep.
Charles J Folger
Ontario
Geneva Rep.
Charles Cook ..
Schuyler
Havana. Rep.
Lysander Farrar Monroe
Rochester Rep.
Almanzor Hutchinson
Orleans
Gaines.
Rep.
Wilkes Angel
Allegany
Angelica. Rep.
John Ganson
Erie.
Buffalo Dem.
Horace C. Young.
Cattaraugus. . . New Albion ... Rep.
SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES.
Claims -Truman, Richards, Young. Finance -Bell, Angel, Connolly Murphy, Bailey. Judiciary -Folger, Tobey, Pruyn, Low, Ganson. Canals .- Cook, Hutchinson, Connolly. Railroads .- Angel, Sanford, Cornell. Charitable and Religious Societies .- Tobey, Hardin, Murphy. Internal Affairs of Towns and Counties .- Montgomery, Abbott, Freer.
Prisons -Bailey, H. A. Clark, Woodruff,
Poor Laws .- Abbott, Young, Little.
Engrossed Bills .- Montgomery, Sanford, Angel. Indian Affairs .- Sanford, Robertson, Bradley. Commerce and Navigation .- Robertson, Truman, Ganson. Agriculture -Richards, Abbott, Young. Literature .- Pruyn, Ramsey, Sanford. Militia .- Smith, Ramsey, Cornell.
Roads and Bridges -H. A. Clark, Bailey, Young. Grievances .- Low, Montgomery, Woodruff. Banks .- Munroe, Cook, Tobey. Insurance Companies .- Little, Bell, Farrar. Privileges and Elections .- Cornell, Cook, Hardin. Manufactures .- Young, Munroe, Hutchinson. Retrenchment .- Murphy, Robertson, H. A. Clark. Public Buildings .- Pruyn, Bailey, Bell.
Erection and Division of Towns and Counties -Ramsey, Folger, Connolly.
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Cities and Villages .- Farrar, Hardin, Low, Smith, Freer, Bradley, W. Clark.
Public Expenditures .- Bradley, Little, Abbott.
Expiring Laws .- Woodruff, Tobey, Farrar.
Public Health, Medical Colleges and Societies .- Freer, Smith, W. Clark.
Public Printing -Low, Sanford, Richards.
Manufacture of Salt .- Hutchinson, Folger, Richards.
Joint Library .- Hardin, Angel, Woodruff.
Select Committee on Petitions for Aid to Albany and Susquehanna Railroad .- Ramsey, Connolly, Angel.
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY IN 1862.
HENRY J. RAYMOND,
SPEAKER.
MR. RAYMOND is doubtless one of the most skillful, ready, and efficient presiding officers in the State, if not in the entire country. His brilliant career as President of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly has extorted this degree of praise from even his most bitter and unre- lenting political opponents. His whole nature - tem- perament, tone of voice, quickness of movement, ready comprehension, fluency of language, skill in parliamentary practice, uniform courtesy of manner, unfaltering firm- ness, and unyielding perseverance - all harmoniously blended, constitute a combination rarely found in any one man in this or any other age or country. Whatever may be thought of him in other respects, this much, at least, will be cheerfully accorded him by all.
Mr. Raymond is a native of Lima, Livingston county, N. Y., where he was born on the 24th of January, 1820.
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He is of English extraction. His father, Jarvis Ray- mond, who is still living, was the proprietor of a small farm upon which Henry was accustomed to labor when a boy. His eagerness to study, however, soon caused him to pass most of his time in school until the winter of 1836, when he turned teacher himself. He subsequently entered college, and in 1840 graduated at the University of Vermont. Shortly afterwards, he went to the city of New York, where he studied law a year in the office of Edward W. Marsh, meanwhile maintaining himself by teaching the classics in a young ladies' seminary, and by contributions to a literary journal called the New Yorker. At the establishment of the New York Tribune, in April, 1841, he formed a connection with that paper as assistant editor, and acquired a distin- guished reputation as a reporter - an art then compara- tively but little practised in America. In 1843, at the solicitation of James Watson Webb, he accepted a position on the editorial staff of the New York Courier & Enquirer, which he held till 1851, when he relin- quished it in consequence of a political disagreement with Mr. Webb. He had also some four years pre- viously formed a literary connection with the publishing house of Harpers & Brothers, which he retained some ten years. During this period he had a protracted con- troversy with Horace Greeley, in the columns of their respective journals, upon the principles of socialism, especially as taught by Fourier, which he attacked and Greeley defended. The successive articles on each side attracted much attention, and were afterwards published in pamphlet form and extensively circulated.
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Mr. Raymond began his political career in 1850 as a Whig member of the Assembly. He was again a member of that body in 1851, and during that session successfully occupied the responsible situation of Speaker, taking, at the same time, a deep interest in the common school system and canal policy of the State. After the adjournment of the Legislature he sailed for Europe for the benefit of his health, and shortly after his return, in August, 1851, pub- lished the first number of the New York Times-a paper which he has since successfully conducted to the position of one of the leading journals of the country. In 1852, in the capacity of a substitute for a regular delegate to the Whig National Convention at Baltimore, he addressed that body at length, in spite of a stormy opposition, in exposi- tion of Northern sentiment. In 1854 he received the nomi- nation for Lieutenant-Governor by the Whig, Anti-Nebraska and Temperance State Conventions, and was triumphantly elected to that position. He was prominently active in the promotion of the Republican party, and drew up the " Ad- dress to the People," which was put forth in 1856 by the National Convention at Pittsburg. After leaving the office of Lieutenant-Governor on the 31st of December, 1857, he . remained a private citizen, in the active pursuit of his occu- pation as the leading editor and proprietor of the New York Times, until the inauguration of the Union move- ment, which again brought him to the Assembly, where he has again added fresh laurels to his reputation as a presiding officer and public representative.
Mr. Raymond is one of the shrewdest and most sagacions legislators in the State. He is cautious, without being timid-resolute, but not rash-firm, but not obstinate.
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He always matures his plans in his own mind, and has the power of keeping them concealed until the proper time comes for their development. As a speaker he ranks high ; and is remarkable for his fluency, correctness, and self-pos- session. His ideas, like his person, are always neatly dressed, and never appear before the public in dishabille. There is always a harmonious blending of the poetical and the practical, a pleasant union of the ornamental and use- ful, a body and soul joined together in all his speeches. There is something tangible, solid, nutritious, and enduring in all he says. Those who were members of the House in 1862, will never forget his power as a debater; the polite- ness of his badinage ; the refinement of his cutting sarcasm, and the gentility of his wit. His superiority as a writer is equally apparent, and the magazines are filled with speci- mens of his chaste and elegant productions. In short, he is the Addison of America.
Mr. Raymond was married on the 23d of October, 1843, to Miss Juliette Weaver - a lady of refinement and educa- tion, and attends the Presbyterian Church.
JONATHAN M. ACKLEY.
MR. ACKLEY belongs to that class of healthful, well-to-do and intelligent farmers, whose personal comforts and enjoy- ments are as unalloyed by discontents and irritations as is possible in this life. He was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., on the 8th of May, 1810. His father, Jona- than Ackley, was a native of Connecticut. Emigrating to
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Plainfield while that place was yet in its infancy, he married Mehitabel, daughter of Jonathan Moffatt, after whom Mr. Ackley was named. His father died when Jonathan was two years of age, leaving four children. His mother, who was of Scotch descent, was an energetic and resolute woman, and brought up her children with great care and labor.
Mr. Ackley early evinced a strong desire to obtain a good education. His mother having but little means to devote to this purpose, he, by teaching school occasionally, defrayed the expenses of attending different academies. In 1837 he removed from his native town to Henderson, Jefferson county, and some time after to Lorraine. The part to which he removed afterwards became a portion of the town of Worth. At the first election for officers for that town he was cliosen a Justice of the Peace, which office he held for many years. He was Supervisor of the town of Worth during the years 1851, '53 and '54. He was formerly a Whig, but joined the Republican party soon after its organi- zation. He is a strong temperance man, and, while a member of the Assembly, labored strenuously to secure the passage of a Prohibitory Liquor Law.
Mr. Ackley married Ann Kilburn in the year 1832. He is a member of the Congregational Church.
SAMUEL M. ALLEY.
COLONEL ALLEY was born in the town of Almond, Allegany county, N. Y., in 1825, the same year in which
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his parents removed into that town from Moravia, Cayuga county. He is of French descent. His father, Peter Alley, who was celebrated in the early history of Western New York as a bear and deer hunter, died in Cayuga county in 1829, leaving a wife and three chil- dren, the maiden name of the former of whom was Lucy Hemingway. Both his parents were natives of Cayuga county.
Colonel Alley received a limited English education, and was a poor bound boy, until the age of twenty, when he purchased his time and went into the mercan- tile and manufacturing business with his uncle, the Hon. James Alley. In 1827 he removed from his native place to Hornellsville, Steuben county, where he has always since resided, having grown up with the place, and now standing high among its prominent and influential citizens. He was elected clerk of that county in 1856, holding the position three years, and with that excep- tion never held any public office until his election to the last House. He originally belonged to the Freesoil section of the Democratic party, and by the natural course of political events became a Republican in 1856. Since then he has always been unyieldingly attached to that party, and was chosen a member of the Assembly as a candidate of the late so-called People's party. As a legislator he was quiet and faithful in the dis- charge of his duties, enjoying, at the same time, the entire good will and friendship of all his associates, and was universally regarded by all who knew him as one of the most clever, jolly, good-natured men in the Legis- lature - a perfect "prince of good fellows." It was
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chiefly through his efforts that the bill relative to the celebrated Pultney estate was carried through the House after the enacting clause had been stricken out.
Colonel Alley was married in 1850 to Miss Sylvania, youngest daughter of Major Thomas Bennett, and at- tends the Presbyterian church.
THOMAS G. ALVORD.
Mr. ALVORD is a native of Onondaga county, N. Y., and was born in 1818. He is now, therefore, in his forty-fifth year, though his venerable appearance would justify the belief that he is ten years older. He is of Dutch and English descent, and both of his grandfathers did service in the Revolutionary war. In his youth he enjoyed good educational advantages, and graduated at Yale College in 1838, at the age of twenty. He was a class-mate of John Van Buren, and has been about as vascillating in his political life as that notable individual.
Soon after leaving College Mr. Alvord entered himself for the mercantile business, and served a short time as clerk in a store in Pittsfield, Mass. Not relishing the counter, however, he soon changed it for the bar, and having gone through the usual course preparatory to the practice of law, was admitted in 1832. He then opened an office in Salina, now Syracuse, and followed his profession till 1846, when he abandoned it and took up the manufacture of coarse salt. In 1843, and again in 1858 and '62, he was a member of the Assembly, and
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