USA > New York > Comley's history of the state of New York, embracing a general review of her agricultural and mineralogical resources, her manufacturing industries, trade and commerce, together with a description of her great metropolis, from its settlement by the Dutch, in 1609 > Part 22
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He was first married to Emily M. Hopkins. Dec. 27th, 1827, to whom were born sons and daughters, but one of whom survive, Harriet L., who married the Rev. Charles H.
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Smith. He was again married Sept. Ist, 1858, to Catharine Bradt.
In 1834-35 and 1836, he engaged in real estate transactions, some of which shared the fate of the speculations of 1837; but others enabled him to weather the financial storm of that year and keep his escutcheon untar- nished.
He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Association, and its second president. Also a life-member of the Society of Natural Sciences, and a member of the Buffalo His- torical Society. While he had little leisure to spare from business pursuits, his tastes tended to scientific studies, and to gratify those fancies he spent the summer of 1837 at New Haven, in the study of geology, mineralogy, etc., under the direction of Professors Benjamin Silliman and Charles N. Shepard, with the privilege of attending their summer course of lectures on natural history.
He was the first to make and use the enamelled gum teeth, colored with oxide of gold, to resemble the natural gum, and was also the inventor of improvements in vulcan- izers, and other instruments for dental use, which had a wide sale, not only here, but in Europe and South America, and which finally resulted in the organization known as the Buffalo Dental Manufacturing Company.
Heacock, W. J., was born at Kings- borough, Fulton County, N. Y., April 5th, 1821. In early life he received a common- school education, attending for a few winters only, being prevented by delicate health, which he did not overcome until twenty years of age. His first business experience was in the dry goods trade in his native village When twenty-four, he commenced the manu- facture of gloves, which he continued suc- cessfully for several years, and was among !
the largest in the business. He was the founder of the Fonda, Johnstown, and Glo- versville Railroad, its first and only presi- dent. It is mainly due to his exertions that the road was ever built. The same may be said in regard to the Gloversville and Northville Railroad, of which he is also presi-
dent. He is also director in the l'ulton County Coal Company. Twice he has served in the State Assembly. During the first term (1863), he was chairman of the Traders and Manufacturers' Committee, and in 1873 was chairman of the Railroad Committee. He was married February rith, 1845, to Miss Mi- nerva M. Avery, daughter of Rev. R. A. Avery, of Galway, Saratoga County, N. Y., by whom he has had four children, three of whom survive. At the breaking out of the war, Mr. W. J. Heacock was chairman of the county committee that raised the funds and troops for the Union. He also spent nearly two winters in Washington, looking after the interests of the glove manufacturers and ad- justing properly the taxation which is applied in this country. We need scarcely say he was very successful and earned well the praise that the manufacturers bestowed upon him. Mr. Heacock lived at Kingsborough when the division in the old Congregational church took place, ard the major part of the influen- tial members left to form the present church at Gloversville. It was only by great efforts on the part of Mr. Heacock that the church was saved from financial ruin. In 1861, he moved his residence to Gloversville; and in 1864, there being no Presbyterian church in the village. Mr. Heacock, by his warm support and liberal subscription, was the main mover in having the new First Presbyterian church erected, one of the most beautiful edifices in this section. He has been one of the trus- tees since its erection, a member of the session
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and superintendent of the Sabbath-school, excepting one year. He is at present actively engaged in managing the railroads of which he is the honored president, and which under his executive have proved successful from their commencement. Within the memory of Mr. Heacock, Gloversville has grown from a mere hamlet with the country school-house upon the main corner, surrounded with pine trees, to its present proportions and importance, through the development of the glove indus- try, which commenced in its primary state from the fact the woods in those days abounded in deer, and the first settlers being mostly ped- dlers of tinware, took the hides in exchange for goods. At first they knew not what to do with them. The ingenuity of the Yankees soon turned them into gloves. Though rude in construction, they have gradually advanced and improved until they now manufacture the finest dressed gent's glove made, which finds a market all over the United States.
Heath, Judge S. Pulver, was born at Minersville, Montgomery County, April 15th, 1820, and resided there till six years old, when, together with his parents, he removed to Troy. In two years they moved to Amsterdam, where he has since resided. His academic education was received at the hands of Horace Sprague, village of Amsterdam; then at- tended Union College, from which place he graduated 1840 ; when he studied law with Samuel Belding and Nicholas Hill, Jr., at Amsterdam, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. Subsequently he became a partner with Hon. Clark B. Cochrane, late of Albany, also Samuel Belding, Jr .; afterward Gerry W. Hazelton, of Wisconsin. In 1850, he was elected to the Legislature and served in 1851. From 1869 to 1871, he was the U. S. District Asssesor of Eighteenth district, New York. At
the expiration of that term (1871), he was elected Judge of Montgomery County, a posi- tion he has since and now holds. He'is also a director in the First National Bank of Amster- dam, and director in the Gas Company. He was married in 1847 to Miss Groat, of Amster- dam, by whom he has had six children. His eldest son is at present a partner in his law practice. Judge Heath is now in the fifty- eighth year of his age and the senior partner of the well-known law firm at Amsterdam. He has been a stirring, practical man, both in public and in private life, and his good constitution being still vigorous and unen- feebled and his intellect ripened by experience, he would do honor to any official function in the gift of his State.
Hedstrom, Eric L., was born in Stock- holm, Sweden, August 2ist, 1835. His father, Eric Hedstrom, came to this country in IS43, and settled in Lake County, Illinois, upon what was then government land.
The country was sparsely settled, and Mr. Hedstrom's advantages were necessarily limited.
At the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith, at Waukegan, El .. with the understanding that during the first year he should have six months' schoolns. Failing to fulfil their agreement in this port !- cular, he returned to the farm, remaming there for another two years, at which time be de- termined to go to Rochester with the purpose of taking a college course.
But straitened circumstances making it necessary for him to earn, to a large extent, his way through school, his health failed, and in the spring of 1856 he returned to Chicago.
He soon obtained employment with A. B. Meeker & Co., where he remained until 1864. when he was sent by that firm to Buffalo,
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N. Y., to represent its interests there. He was at once given an interest in the business in Buffalo, the firm being known as E. L. Hedstrom until 1874, when a junior partner was admitted, the firm becoming known as E. L. Hedstrom & Co.
The principal business of the house is that of anthracite coal, being sole agents for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, an interest identified with that of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company. They also represent large interests connected with the Lake Superior iron regions.
Mr. Hedstrom was married in the summer of 1865 to Miss Anna M. Clampffer, daughter of Mr. G. M. Clampffer, of Reading, Pa., the issue of which has been two children.
One of the chief characteristics of this gentle- man's success has been his untiring energy and indomitable will. With limited advan- tages he has surmounted many obstacles where others would have failed, and is to-day recog- nized as standing at the head of one of the leading houses in the line of his trade.
His business connections represent but a small part of his activities. For several years he was President of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association of Buffalo, and is also actively engaged in church and Sunday-school work.
As one of his friends informs the writer of this sketch, " He is always to be found at the wheel when any public good is to be ob- tained."
Without doubt, Mr. Hedstrom is a self- made man, and one who has the esteem and confidence of the community in which he lives.
Hodge, John. - The subject of this sketch is in personal appearance robust phy- sique, generous temperament, with bold and
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shrewd capacity, and in many respects a re- presentative and typical business man.
He was born in Jefferson County, New York, during 1837, and in early life had many advantages of mental training and culture. His first tastes were formed for a professional career, and he studied for the law, which he afterward abandoned, determining to make himself useful and active as a business man. To this end he moved to Lockport, N. Y .. where he commenced the manufacture of gargling oil. What success has attended his exertions and shrewd business management is apodictical to all; for there are few among our readers who do not know Mr. Hodge, personally or by reputation, as having built up a vast business, and the reputation of the goods he manufactures is as wide-spread as our vast country.
In 1872, he feeling an interest, and having faith in the future of Lockport, erected an elegant block known as the Hodge Opera- House Building, which contains the Post- Office, Western Union Telegraph Office, seven first-class stores, all the city and United States courts and offices, besides the opera-house proper with a capacity to hold 2000 people. He is also president of the Union Printing and Publishing Company, and president of the Firemen's Life Association of the State of New York. Mr. Hodge is worthy of more than the usual word in connection with his stand- ing in the various grades of the fraternity of Freemasonry; but we forbear any further notice of him in these relations than to state that he has held many positions in both the York and Scottish rites, and in all his Masonic relations he discharges his duties with un- swerving integrity and well-deserved honor. Mr. Hodge is an example to the young men of to-day. He is now in the prime of life and in the strength and activity of his manhood;
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and the honors of well-doing shall gather round his steps when the days of his active toil shall be passed.
Hosmer, Gustavus P., was born Au- gust 2d, 1819, at Avon, Livingston County, N. Y. He moved to Batavia, Genesee County, N. Y., spring of 1827, and to Ni- agara County, N. Y., in 1836, with his father, who was one of the pioneers of Western New York (1793). The subject of this sketch received his early schooling at Avon and Batavia, finishing at the Canandaigua Academy in the spring of 1835. His early business experience was obtained while acting in the capacity of clerk in stores at Canan- daigua, Rochester, and Buffalo, and T For- warding House at Oswego. From the fall of 1839 till the spring of 1841, he was in the Bank of Western New York, at Rochester, as book-keeper and teller. In the spring of 1841, he moved to Albany, and occupied a responsible position in a stave and lumber house, and commenced business for himself in the same business in fall of 18.11. This he has since continued with more than ordi- nary success, operating in Northern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Michigan. In the last-named State, he has owned pine and oak lands, mills, and for many years was in- terested in vessel stock on the Western lakes. Ilis goods have found their way all over the Northern States and as far south as Balti- more, and his business connections extended for many years to Portland, Me., with a firm who are largely engaged in sending shooks and cooperage stock to the West India mar- kets, and he ships to many ports in Northern Europe, France, Spain, and California.
It was through his instrumentality that the manufacture of shooks was commenced in Western New York, and since its infancy it
has developed into a very extensive business westward to Wisconsin. He has been suc- cessful in all of his business pursuits, from a rare combination of industry and judgment which has ever restrained him from embark- ing in visionary projects, and kept his ener- gies properly directed, adding to and extend- ing his business operations, which for many years have furnished a large number of per- sons with daily employment; and now, at the age of fifty-eight, after a successful result, he retires from active business to enjoy the com- forts of a quiet home in Lockport, one of the most delightful cities in Western New York.
Howe, Elias, Jr .- This gentleman, well known in this country and Europe as the inventor of the sewing-machine, died at his residence in Brooklyn, October 3d, 1867. The deceased was a native of Spencer, Mass., where he was born during the year 1819, and was consequently forty-eight years of age at the time of his death. While a youth, he pursued the occupation of a farmer and miller ; but as he approached manhood, learned the trade of a machinist. In the pursuit of this vocation he studied the sci- ence of machinery with marked success, the result of his studies being the invention of the sewing-machine, which brought him both fame and wealth, and proved one of the greatest benefits to the community. His first patent was secured in 1847, but it was not until 1854 that he finally succeeded in maintaining his claim as the inventor. He was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Ex- position by the Emperor Napoleon in person for his invention, and was the recipient of other marks of favor from the ruler of the French. For some time before his death, Mr. Howe had been afflicted with a terrible disease, known as Bright's disease of the kid-
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neys ; and, although it was reported that he had been cured of it by a clairvoyant on his return from Europe, it is probable that was the cause of his death. The public in general regretted his loss, for his invention undoubt- edly conferred a great blessing on mankind, and the poor working-woman in particular.
Hoysradt, J. W., was born in 18:4, at Ancram, Columbia County, N. Y. During his early business experience, he clerked in the ordinary country stores until nineteen years of age, receiving his education in the district-schools. In 1845, after living at Hudson one year, he moved to Stockbridge, Mass., where he was engaged to Charles C. Alger in the manufacture of charcoal pig- iron. In 1850, Mr. Alger moved to Hudson, Mr. Hoysradt going with him, and where a stock company was formed, and the present works of the Hudson Iron Company were built. The subject of this, sketch has been connected with these works from that -time. and since 1864 he has held the position of president and general manager. He has been President of the Clapp & Jones Steam Fire-Engine Company since its organization ; was President of the Columbia County Iron Company. At present he is President of the Farmers' National Bank of Hudson. He has always been a staunch friend to all im- provements, and a liberal subscriber to stocks, and at present is connected with many institutions. When mayor of the city of Hudson, during 1859 and 1860, and again in 1867-8, he was ready to approve of every measure that would contribute to the growth and welfare of the city. He heid the post- tastership for eight years.
J. W. Hoysradt is a child of New York, and has been nursed amidst her institutions. He has, through a long course of successful
life, shown himself worthy of all honor; and still in the meridian of his existence, the State in which he first drew his breath can hope all things from his talents, patriotism. and integrity.
Hughson, J. C .- The biography of such a man as J. C. Hughson is fraught not orly with readable interest, but has a useful moral effect upon the present time and pos- terity. It teaches youth what in lustry and moral worth can achieve, and that they can Lope for all things if they make honor their guide, and are prompted by honorable emu- lation.
The subject of this sketch was born in Schohari- County, N. Y., October 4th, 1820, where he continued to live until he was eighteen years old, receiving the best cilucation the neighborhood afforded. In 1838, he moved to Catskill. where he worked in the capacity of clerk for five years. In 1845. he moved to Albany, and became a member of the firm of Higbee, Douglass & Co .. who were large lumber dealers. Here he continued until 1857, when he sold out his interest in the Albany firm, and bought their entire manufacturing interest located in Canada, which he still continues to operate. After paying strict personal attention to his manufacturing business for eight or ten years, he returned to Albany, and started a lumber- yard on a large scale, since which time he has made Albany his permanent home, though he still retains large interests in Canada, be- sides having yards in Port Sarnia and New York City. In 1842, he was married in Cats- kill, N. Y., the issue of which has been eight children. Amid all the political agitation this country has passed through, Mr. Hugh- son was never allured from his business to take part in factional disputes, but has de-
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voted himself most unremittingly to business, its extensive operations requiring all his time and most watchful attention. He is now in the prime of physical vigor and matured ex. perience, though among the oldest dealers in the Albany lumber district.
Ives, Willard. - The subject of this sketch was born at Watertown, N. Y., July 7th, 1807. His father, Dr. Titus Ives, moved to that place from Connecticut, in 1801. In his early life, Willard Ives received such edu- cation as was afforded by the schools at that time and place-for he was brought up on his father's farm, which vocation he has fol- lowed all his life-so that the fortune Mr. Ives has amassed has been made legitimately in the business which he has followed, and the investments he has made in other channels. His motto in life was to excel in all he un- dertook, and his success in life shows how well he has lived up to the maxim which he set before I'm as a guide. As a citizen of Watertown, he has done more than his share to advance all her interests, and to-day he is president of the following companies and insti- tutions : Merchants' Bank of Watertown, also trustee in National Trust Company of New York, Watertown Fire Insurance Company, Davis Sewing-Machine Company Ives Semi- nary at Antwerp, Jefferson County Orphan Asylum, and Jefferson County Bible So- ciety. He is also president of the board of trustees of the Arsenal Methodist Epis- copal Church. Probably the most eventful position he ever filled was as a delegate to the first Evangelical Alliance, held in London, England, in 1846; he was also a delegate to the meeting of 1873, held at New York City ; and was delegate to the General Con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Brooklyn, in 18;2. Mr. Ives was for
many years a member of the board of man- agers of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, filling the offices of secretary, treasu- rer. and president. In 1850, was elected rep- resentative of his district in the Thirty-second Congress.
He was one of the corporators and vice-pre- sident of the Thousand Island Camp-Meeting Association, organized in 1875, located upon Wellesley Island, in the St. Lawrence River, owning 1000 acres of land, and known as Thousand Island Park.
Mr. Willard Ives has been twice married; first, in December, 1827, to Miss Charlotte Winslow. His second marriage was to Miss Lucina M. Eddy, of Philadelphia, in Jeffer- son County, N. Y., which took place in 1 562. One of the effective attributes of his popu- larity is the purity of his character. It is this which has given him the esteem of all men.
Jervis, John B., was born at Huntington, Long Island, N. Y., on the 14th of December, 1795, and moved to Rome with his father, Timothy Jervis, in 1798. He was educated in the common schools of Rome, N. Y., where he continued to reside until April roth, 1818. In 1817, Benjamin Wright, the surveyor whom the State employed in constructing the canal, came to Rome for the purpose of breaking ground. An axeman was wanted to clear a way through the swamp, and Timo- thy Jervis said, " Take John." The offer was accepted, and the youth thus began the life of an engineer. At the end of a week, the tas': was done, but the axeman's ambition was aroused, and he solicited a place as rodman. It was promised by the next spring, and in 1818 he was thus employed a: Syracuse on the salary of $r2 a month. . The principal engineer on the canal vas Nathan S. Roberts.
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During the season of 1818, the rodman learned with rapidity, and showed such energy in penetrating Montezuma swamp, that the year afterward found him at the head of a party as resident engineer, at $1.25 per day. Mr. Jervis continued in this service for seven years, until the entire canal was finished. His salary had been increased to $4 per day, and he had established a remarkable reputation for a young man only thirty years of age. At this time it was resolved to supply New York with coal directly from the Lackawanna mines, and the Delaware and Hudson Canal was projected. This canal was begun in 1825, when the Erie had just been finished. Benjamin Wright and John B. Jervis were the engineers, and in 1830 the works were opened for service. Mr. Jervis's salary had by this time been increased to $4000 per year, and he had won a name as the first engineer on this continent. The railroad above men- tioned had a short level, on which was placed the first successful locomotive engine built in America, which was planned by Mr. Jervis. This locomotive is still in existence.
In 1830, the Mohawk and Hudson Rail- road was projected. The construction of this road was committed to Mr. Jervis, who also built at the same time the road connecting Schenectady and Saratoga Springs. These works were finished in 1832, and were the objects of widespread admiration. The suc- cess of the Erie Canal led to a general desire to increase the system. In 1833, the Che- nango Canal was begun, and the work was placed in Mr. Jervis's hands.
The Croton Aqueduct was begun in Octo- ber, 1836, and the commissioners showed their sense of its importance by employing one who was justly considered the greatest of American engineers. Mr. Jervis was then more than forty years old, and in the fulness of
manly vigor. The anxiety connected with so important a responsibility often reached intensity, and Mr. Jervis was at times threat- ened with utter prostration ; but his natural vigor enabled him to overcome all difficulties, and he saw the waters of the Croton intro- duced to New York in the autumn of 1842. It required four additional years to bring the work to perfection. To carry the aqueduct across the Harlem River was an important as well as difficult task. Major Douglas had proposed inverted siphons as a permanent method, but Mr. Jervis determined to bridge the stream. The siphon system, however, was adopted for temporary use. The bridge was finished in 1846, and not a flaw can be detected in its entire extent. Mr. Jervis has lived to see New York enjoy the benefits of his genius for thirty years, and the work it- self may last for ages.
Boston, following the example of New York, resolved to introduce the Cochituate stream, and Mr. Jervis accepted the work, which was finished in three years. The dis- tance is twenty miles, and it cost about five millions. Considered by itself, it is a work of great importance ; but comparison with the Croton diminishes it at least one half, both in expense and difficulty of construction.
Before the Boston water-works were in full operation, Mr. Jervis had been designated to a new enterprise. For twenty years, the need of railway transit between Albany and New York had been severely felt; hence the Hudson River road was planned, Mr. James Boorman being one of its chief patrons. In 1847, when the directors were ready to move, Mr. Jervis accepted the appointment of chief engineer. Although this road was very un- profitable for several years after completion, Mr. Jervis had confidence from the begin- ning in its success. Mr. Jervis built the road
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