Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 155

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354

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Harvey J. French. whose name introduces this sketch, passed his boyhood in Albany, at the public schools of which city he received his primary education, later attending All Saints Cathedral school, an institution conducted un- der the auspices of the Episcopal Church, and presided over by Bishop Doane. From that school Mr. French was graduated, and he then entered his father's place of business as an ap- prentice to the tailoring trade, making him- self a thorough master of the business, espe- cially in the cutting department. Later he graduated from a "cutting school" in New York City, and then opened out a tailoring es- tablishment in Albany, N. Y., which he con- ducted some six years; but owing to impaired health was compelled to abandon work and recuperate for a year. His health being re- established, he took charge of the custom de- partment of Julius Saul's tailoring business in Troy, N. Y., the largest of the kind in that city.

In March, 1892, Mr. French came to Poughkeepsie, where he accepted the position of cutter for Peter B. Hayt & Co., which he filled two years, at the end of that time resign- ing to engage in a similar capacity with M. Swartz. In the winter of 1895 he commenced his present successfully-conducted business on the corner of Main and Garden streets, and in the face of strong competition has advanced rapidly to the position of one of the leading merchant tailors of the city. He employs only skilled workmen, which fact, together with his genial good nature and painstaking methods, as well as determination to please his patrons at whatever cost of time and trouble, have secured for him, and retain, a liberal portion of the best business of the county.

In Albany, New York, in June, 1883, Mr. French was united in marriage with Miss May W. Nichols, daughter of Charles C. Nichols, a prominent architect of that city, and to them

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

have been born three children : Clifford, Harold, and Harvey, Jr. While a resident of Albany our subject was a member of Company A. N. G. N. Y., Albany Zouave Cadets. After a service of six years Mr. French applied for and received an honorable discharge; he then joined the Old Guard of Company A, a leading social organization of that city, which numbers among its members nearly all the prominent professional and business men of the city. In Poughkeepsie he is a member of Armor Lodge, K. of P., of the Booth Hose Co., and of the Century Bicycle Club. He was once elected lieutenant of the Nineteenth Separate Com- pany, N. Y. S. N. G., but declined to accept the honor. In religious faith he and his wife are members of Christ Episcopal Church, of Poughkeepsie.

I RVING DEYO LE ROY, M. D., a prom- inent physician and surgeon of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, by his devotion to his work, and the careful study and diagnosis of the various diseases that have come under his observation, has been unusually success- ful, and has gained an enviable reputation as a skilled practitioner. He belongs to a family long prominently connected with the history of Dutchess county, although his birth occurred at Highland, Ulster Co., N. Y., on April 18, 1859.

The founder of the family in this country was Frans LeRoy, who was of French Hugue- not descent, the family having emigrated from France with the Huguenots, and taken up their abode in Canada. Frans settled at Kingston, N. Y., about the year 1700. John S., a descendant of Frans, settled in the town of Fishkill, Dutchess county. One of his sons, Levi, established the town of LeRoy in the western part of the State, and Simeon became a resident of Canada, while John I. established LeRoys Mills in Dutchess county.

children; one of whom, Abram, was the father of our subject. Upon their farm in the town of Clinton the grandparents spent their remain- ing days, faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.

Abram Leroy, the father of our subject, was born August 20, 1829, in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Cornelia Cooking- ham, who was born there in 1831. a descend- ant of Daniel Cookingham, a native of Hol- land, who on crossing the Atlantic took up a tract of land in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, on which his son Michael and grand- son Daniel were born, the last being the father of Mrs. LeRoy. After their marriage the par- ents of our subject located at Highland, Ulster county, where the father engaged in farming and milling for about ten years, when they re- turned to LeRoys Mills. Besides the opera- tion of the mill, Abram LeRoy also dealt in grain, following those pursuits until his death, August 3, 1870. In religious faith he held membership with the Presbyterian Church, and his political support was unswervingly given the Republican party. His widow is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Irving D. Leroy, whose name introduces this sketch, was the only child of his parents, who took him to LeRoys Mills when six years of age. After pursuing his studies for some time in the district schools of the locality, at the Poughkeepsie high school and the public schools of Lansing, Mich., he entered the Hungerford Collegiate Institute at Adams, N. Y., taking the regular college course and grad- uating with the class of '76. He was next a student in the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, and after his graduation there, in 1878, he became bookkeeper and cashier for Dobbs & Herrick, of that city, remaining with them for a short time. In ISSo he be- gan the study of medicine in the office of Dr. H. L. Cookingham, of Red Hook, Dutchess county, where he remained for a year, and then entered the Albany Medical College. graduating March 9. 1883. The following winter he took a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic, being at the time estab- lished in practice at Poughkeepsie. Ile was also a student of Drs S. B. Ward, of Albany, N. Y., and James R. Leaming, of New York City. Since 1884 he has followed his chosen profession in Pleasant Valley, and has built up

The last named, who was a great-grand- father of our subject, was born in the town of Fishkill, Dutchess county, and by his marriage with Hannah Westervelt, of Holland origin, he became the father of twelve children. among whom was Joseph LeRoy. He was born in Fishkill, N. Y., in Iso1, and was united in marriage with Miss Clarissa Traver. also a native of Dutchess county. They be- gan their domestic life upon a farm in the town of Clinton, where were born their six : a large and lucrative practice. During the

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years 1870-71 the Doctor, then a student. traveled quite extensively through the Western States.

On April 7, 1886, Dr. LeRoy was married to Miss Jennie Duncan (a lady of Scotch ex- traction, born in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, as was also her father, John B. Dun- can, a merchant of that village. The Doctor and his wife are active workers in the Presby- terian Church, and he is now serving as one of its ellers. Dr. LeRoy is a member of the Dutchess County Medical Society, a founder of the New York State Medical Association, and a permanent member of the American Medical Association. He is at present, and has been for many years, health officer of his dis- trict, and is one of the most progressive phy- sicians of the county, standing deservedly high among his professional brethren. In politics he is a hearty supporter of the Republican party.

P ALVERSON LEE. Poughkeepsie, Dutch- ess county, numbers this able young law- ver among her native sons, as he first saw the light in that city on the 8th of August, 1870. His father, Lewis Alverson, was born there in 1843, and was a son of Samuel and Caroline E. Alverson, the former a native of Connecticut. Lewis was the eldest in a family of four children, the others being: Mrs. Josephine Woodworth; Mrs. Ellen Smith (deceased); and Samuel, who enlisted during the Civil war in the 128th N. Y. V. I., and died in a hospital in Louisiana. The father of our subject obtained his education in the pub- lic schools of Poughkeepsie, where he also learned the machinist's trade, and on reach- ing man's estate was united in marriage with Mary E. Lee, a daughter of Bezaleel Lee. He departed this life in 1872, his wife surviving him about a year.

Thus at the age of three years our sub- ject was left an orphan, and his little baby sister died at the age of six months. After the death of his mother Per Lee Alverson was taken to the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Ogden Lee, who still make their home in Poughkeepsie, where they are held in the highest esteem. By trade the uncle is a carpenter, but is now county canvasser for the Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle.

During his childhood our subject attended the public schools of Poughkeepsie, and De-

cember 3. 1888, was graduated from the East- man Business College. For one year thereafter he studied law with J. S. Van Cleef, and then entered the office of C. W. H. Arnold, with whom he remained two years. On being admitted to the bar in 1892, he at once began practice, opening an office at No. 54 Market street. He makes a specialty of realty law and probate practice, and his ability and in- dustry make his services valuable. In argu- ment he is logical and eloquent, and his words always carry weight with judge and jury, sel- dom failing to result in victory.

Mr. Lee has a large circle of warm personal friends, the regard of the entire legal profes- sion, and has won the respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. In November, 1896, he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, on the Republican ticket.

W ILLIAM J. BEARDSLEY, a leading architect of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, and one of the most promising young business men of that locality, is of English de- scent. His ancestors were early settlers in Connecticut, and his grandfather, William E. Beardsley, was the first of the family to locate in Dutchess county. He conducted a sash and blind factory at the Upper Landing, in Pough- keepsie, and at the time of his death resided upon a farm on the inside road near Morgan Lake. He had a family of seven children, to wit: William J. (our subject's father). Abbott, Martha (now Mrs. Stephen Wilkinson), Han- nah (now Mrs. Eli Ranson), Mary, Ophelia Fanny, and Miranda. In politics he was a Republican, in religion a Congregationalist. He died at the age of eighty-seven years.

William J. Beardsley, our subject's father, succeeded to his father's business in Pongh- keepsie, and conducted it at the same place until 1887, when he built a factory on the cor- ner of Main and Harris streets, where he car- ried on a large milling business successfully until his death, which occurred July 2, 1887. He was a Republican in politics, and a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. He married Miss Louise McLean, a lady of Scotch descent, daughter of Samuel McLean, a well-known resident of Poughkeepsie, who conducted a store and, later, a commission business in that city. Three sons were born of this union: Charles, William J., and Ralph (deceased ).

William &Beardsley.

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On the death of the father the business was continued by his son Charles until February 14. 1891, when the property was destroyed by fire. Since that time Charles Beardsley has been in the employ of the government as a rail -. way mail clerk.

William J. Beardsley, our subject, fol- lowed his father's occupation, and made him- self thoroughly acquainted with all branches of interior building work, until his father's death, when he discontinued the sash and blind business, and proceeded with architect- ural work, for which he had a natural talent. He had had practical instruction and experi- ence in the art of building in different places throughout the country, and, being thus thoroughly versed and schooled in architecture, decided to locate in Poughkeepsie for the practice of that profession. He has one of the largest architectural offices in the city, lo- cated at No. 42 Market street, and equipped with all necessary devices, together with a corps of competent assistants.

Up to the present time Mr. Beardsley has shown great talent in his chosen calling, hav- ing built many of the fine residences through- out the counties of Dutchess and Ulster, and throughout the Hudson River Valley-some of the best people in the above named counties being among his clients. Mr. Beardsley is prominent in the fire department of Pough- keepsie as a member of the Crockett Hook and Ladder Co., and he also affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, and and of the Masonic Fraternity.

J AMES E. BALDWIN, a prominent agri- culturist of the town of Pawling, Dutchess county, is well-known as a business man, having spent a number of years as a success- ful speculator previous to settling down to his present calling. He was born July 13. 1829. in the town of Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y., and his early education was acquired in the schools of that town. He made his entrance into the business arena as a speculator at an early age, and after a time went to New York City, where his abilities had wider scope. In 1874 he purchased the farm in the town of Pawling, where he has since made his home. On November 5, 1884, he married Miss Fan- nie Townsend, who was born in the town of Kent, Putnam county, in 1865, but was edu- cated in Pawling. To this union, one child,

Susie, was born November 27, 1885. Mrs. Baldwin's father, John Townsend, was born in 1824, in the town of Kent, Putnam county, and passed his early life there. He married (first) Anna M. Luddington, and second) Sarah Dykeman ( Mrs. Baldwin's mother), who was born in Patterson, Putnam county, in 1827. Both parents are now living at Bound- brook, New Jersey.

Mr. Baldwin's great-grandfather, James Baldwin, was born in Cheshire, England, in 1700, of parents who traced their ancestry to old English stock. He came to America in 1730, and settled in Carmel, Putnam Co., N. Y., where he acquired a large farm and passed the remainder of his days engaged in agriculture and dealing in cattle. Successful as he was in the management of his private business, he was an active and able worker in public affairs, and at one time held the office of judge of Westchester county. His wife, Hannah Golden, of Goldens Bridge, N. Y., died in 1802, and he followed her two years later. They had eleven children, whose names. with dates of birth are here given: James, 1734; Ephraim, 1736; Phoebe, 1738; Elisha, 1740; Pearce, 1742; Daniel, 1744: Catherine, 1746; Elizabeth, 1748; Henry, 1750: Hannah, 1752; and James, 1760. The members of the Baldwin family, with but few exceptions. have been Whigs, and in later times Republicans, and although in the old days they adhered to the Baptist faith, some of this generation are Congregationalists. +/

James Baldwin, our subject's grandfather, was born in Carmel, N. Y., and after enjoying such educational opportunities as that locality afforded in those days he engaged in farming, having inherited Starr Ridge farm, a portion of his father's property. Although he was deeply interested in political questions, he never sought or held office. He married Miss Susan Vail, who was born in 1764, in the town of Carmel, a daughter of Aaron Vail. Twelve children were born to them: Daniel, Fannie, Henry, Polly, Aaron, James, Dorcas, Betsy, Nathan Cole, Susan, Hannah Jane and Hannah N. The father died in 1827, the mother surviving him four years. The grandfather's descend- ants are numerous:

(1) Daniel, who was born at the old home February 4, 1782, and became a well-to-do farmer of the same locality, married Miss Field, and had four children, namely: Henry F., a farmer, married Jane Dykeman, and had one

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child -Mrs. Mary Huston, who has one son, Henry Huston, not married. (2) Perry mar- ried Eliza Nickerson, and had no children. 3) Laura married Isaac Haviland, and had three sons: Baldwin, who died many years since; Comfort Ilaviland, living in Ohio; and Will- iam, who married Miss Rogers. (4) Phobe married Lansing Rodgers, and reared a large family.

(II) Fannie, born March 2, 1784, married Peter Dykeman, and had five children: (1) James B., born in 1821, married Annie Mabe, and had eight children-Nellie, wife of Charles Travers; Willard, who married Jessie Kelley; Annie B., wife of Charles Nichols; James, who died young: Frank, who is now married; Mary A., wife of Sam Cornish; Peter, unmarried; and James H., who died at an early age. (2) Nathan C., born in 1823, married Ruth Mabe, and has one son, Alex, who married Antoin- ette Barns, and has two sons-Nathan B., who married Miss Bloomer; and Henry, still single. (3) Susan, born in 1820, married J. Patrick, and has had four children-Mary and Sarah, at home; Fannie, who died in childhood; and Charles, who married Bessie Utter, and has one daughter, Susie. (4) Ruth, born in 1825, died at an early age. (5) Sarah, born in 1825, married John Townsend ( Mrs. Baldwin's fa- ther), who had by his first marriage to Anna M. Luddington, four children-Fred, who married Lillie Hopkins; Hattie, wife of De- witt Burr; Charles, who married Mary Sher- wood; and Warren, who died in infancy. By the second union there were two children- Mrs. Baldwin, and her brother, George H., unmarried.

(III) Henry Baldwin, our subject's father, was born September 21, 1787, at the home- stead, to which he succeeded at his father's death. His early education was obtained in the common schools of the neighborhood, and and to this he added greatly by extensive travel in later years. Among other trips taken was one to New Orleans, made before the days of railroads and steamboats, and the greater part of the journey was made on foot. He married Miss Pollie Smith, a daughter of Edward and Abbie (Northrup) Smith. Her father was a well-known farmer of Putnam county, and a man who was prominent in public life, serving as county judge and for two terms as a member of the State Legisla- ture. Seven children were born of this mar- riage, their names, dates of birth, etc., being

given: (1) Susan E. March 17, 1823] mar- ried Isaac Akin, but had no children. (2) Hannah (May, 1826) married James M. Bald- win, and had four children Burdette, Elisha, Bell and Jodia. (3) James E. (July 13, 1829) is the subject proper of this sketch. (4) Eliz- abeth (June, 1832, married Elijah Budd, but had no children. (5) Henry C. (18341, a farmer, married Phoebe 1. Homan, and had four chil- dren Jerome V. and Herbert, who are not married; Edward S., who married Sarah Beecher; and Mary, who is at home. (6) Josephine (March, 1838) married Alex Homan, and had three children- Charles, who married: and Henry and Clara, who are single. (7) Sarah J. (June, 1843) married Isaac Akin, but has no children.

(IV) Pollie, born December 23, 1798, was married in 1812 to James Townsend, and had eleven children-Aaron, 1813: Caroline, 1815; Fannie, ISIS; Henry, 1820; Betsey, 1822; Susan and Elizabeth, twins, 1824, who lived less than one year; Sarah. 1826; Mary, 1830; Jane, 1832; and James, 1835.

(\') Aaron, born January 13, 1791, was killed in the war of 1812 (he never married ).

(VI) James, born April 4, 1793, married Cornelia Luddington, and had seven children.

(VII) Dorcas, born December 28, 1795. was married in 1839, to Peter Whitney, but had no children.

(VIII) Betsey, born February 11, 1798, married Allen Light, born in 1805, and had five children-Mary D., March 22, 1834; Fan- nie E., 1835, who married Charles Barber, the eldest of twenty-one children of one father and mother; Flora E., 1837, wife of William Pugsley; Susan E., 1839, wife of Loren Wil- cox; and Allen D., August, 1841.

(IX) Nathan Cole spent his boyhood at Starr Ridge farm, where he was born May 27. 1800. He engaged in. farming in the town of Kent, Putnam county, owning about 300 acres of land; but while he was recognized as a leading agriculturist, he was not especially prominent in political affairs, and, preferring to exert his influence as a citizen in a quiet way, he refused all invitations to run for office. Strong and athletic, physically, and gifted with an active mind, and the retentive memory for which his family is noted, he held an influen- tial position in the community. His reading was extensive, his knowledge of the Scriptures being unusually thorough, and he was a Bap- tist in religious faith. He married Eliza,

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daughter of John Smith, of the town of Kent, Putnam county, and had five children. (1) Sarah Ann, December 23, 1826, died at the age of thirteen. (2) Peter W. is mentioned more fully below. (3) L. Nathan, February II, 1838, fell from a wall when he was five years old, dislodging a stone which fell upon him and killed him. (4) William R., May 24.

1841, a farmer and a lawyer at Boundbrook, N. J., married Hattie Young. (5) Dorcas Elivia, March 2, 1843, died at six years of age. (X) Susan, born December 29, 1802, mar- ried David Russell, and had four children- Baldwin married Miss Smith; Robert married Miss Holmes; Louisa, wife of Caleb Smalley; and Henry, unmarried.

(XI) Hannah Jane, born in 1804, died in 1 806.

(XII) Hannah N., born April 11, 1807, married Jacob Sunderland, who was murdered.

PETER W. BALDWIN, son of Nathan C. Baldwin, was born in the town of Kent, Put- nam county, May 13, 1830, and on attaining to manhood's estate he engaged in agriculture, later in cattle dealing, which he has now fo]- lowed successfully for about twenty years, his speciality being the buying of milch cows for the local trade. Until 1860 he lived in his native township, and he then moved to Nor- wich, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he spent ten years. In 1870 he purchased the Aiken Taber farm of 307 acres in the town of Pawl- ing, now one of the best estates in Dutchess county. He makes a specialty of dairying, and raises Holstein stock exclusively, his herd of ninety-three being the largest in the locality. He also keeps eight horses. Fond of reading, he is well posted upon the questions of the day, and as he is of an analytical turn of mind he does his own thinking. He is not an office holder, but takes keen interest in the political contests of the time, supporting Republican principles. He is a member of the Baptist Church of Towners. In 1854 he married Miss Nancy Wells, daughter of Jonathan Wells, a leading citizen of Norwich, N. Y., and a prominent Republican. Two children were born of this union: Lucy E. and Wells N., both of whoni are at home.

R EUBEN VINCENT (deceased) was long connected with the farming and industrial interests of the town of Unionvale, Dutchess county, there operating the old homestead

farm from 1802 up to the time of his death, and also conducting a blacksmith shop. He was born in what was then the town of Beek- man, but is now Unionvale, on August 15, 1768, and in its common schools received his education. He was a valued and reliable citi- zen, one who had the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact.

His grandfather, Michael Vincent, was a native of Westchester county, N. Y., where he was reared and educated, and as a life work chose the vocation of farming. In his family were five sons, namely: Michael, Levi, Leon- ard, Richard and Philip.

Levi Vincent, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Unionvale, Dutchess county, and here obtained his education, and later followed farming. He married Miss Sarah Hoxie, and to them were born seven children: Reuben, whose name introduces this review; Levi, who married Evaline Snivens; Samuel; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Samuel Carey; Mrs. Annie Jennings; Hannah and Tabitha.

Reuben Vincent was united in marriage with Miss Deborah Bowerman, daughter of Ichabod and Jane (Richmond) Bowerman, who were the parents of twelve children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Thomas, May 22, 1758; Lydia, January 15, 1762; Phebe, September 9, 1763; Mary, June 30, 1765; Ichabod, September 2, 1767; Jonathan, August 10, 1769; Deborah, January 8, 1771; Stephen, October 22, 1773; Gideon, June 29, 1775; Israel, August 21, 1777; Judah, July 16. 1779; and Nancy, November 27, 1780. The oldest of these children-Thomas Bowerman- married Sarah Vincent, a sister of our subject.

Twelve children also blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent, namely: (1) Pauline, born August 22, 1791, married George Darling, a tanner and currier, of Connecticut, and they had three children Jane; Phoebe A .; and Deborah, deceased. (2) Elizabeth, born July 9, 1793, married Stewart Christy, a farmer, and they had five children-Reuben; William; John: Gideon, who wedded Mary Cunningham ; and Mrs. Jane Burlingham. (3) Hoxie, born March 24, 1795, married Abigail Stone, and they had five children-Reuben, Mrs. Antoin- ette Sheldon, Philo, John and Henry. (4) Jane was born February 24. 1797. (5 Levi, born February 16, 1799, wedded Miss Mary Vale, and had nine children-Phoebe: Isaac; Deborah; Gideon, who married Ophelia Lodre;

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 155

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354